Luci: The vegan chef

Luci joined Minstead Trust’s Step Up for Work programme, a work and training programme for people with learning disabilities, autism and other additional needs before beginning a work placement at Lily&Lime café where her natural talent shone.

She was offered an apprenticeship and has excelled on the programme. Luci has worked independently at our Kingston Road Cafe in 2022 and is now part of the team starting up the View Café this year.

Luci is known as the ‘Vegan Chef’ and is always coming up with exciting new recipes for vegan customers. Having been vegan herself for many years, Luci loves sharing her passion with the rest of the café and has recently started managing Lily&Lime’s café in Lalys pharmacy by herself giving her an increased sense of independence. She has dreams of opening her own Vegan Bakery one day.

Luci – a few questions about her life…

What do you do?

I make hot drinks and take orders. I help to prepare meals and clean up after food has been made.

Why is it important to you?

Working gives me purpose. It has helped me with my mental health and to connect with people better.

What do you love most about working?

The people. It’s nice to work with other people with learning disabilities like me and get out in the world.

What would you love to achieve?

I would like to keep trying new things and complete my apprenticeship. Use my skills to do different things.

Why do you think it’s important for people with a learning disability to get opportunities to work?

I think not a lot of people with learning disabilities get a chance to work. Everyone has their own skill, they just need to find it and be given a chance to show and prove it.

 Do you think enough people with a learning disability are in work? If not, why do you think that is?

I don’t think enough people are working, and I am grateful I have the opportunity that I have now and think all people with a learning disability should have the option to work as well.

How do you think employers can make it better for people with a learning disability to get access to more work?

I think there needs to be more places like Minstead Trust. Lily and Lime only have people with a learning disability gaining work experience in the cafes, and it is a safe space for people. There are staff who understand learning disabilities and are able to support us if needed.

Finally, do you think most people understand what a learning disability is?

No, there needs to be more education on learning disabilities, especially autism as there is so many people who have it and people don’t know enough about it.

Watch Luci’s video outlining her passion for vegan baking and why she loves working at Lily&Lime: Luci: Vegan Baker | National Apprenticeship week 2023 – YouTube

You can find out about some of our other apprentices here: Apprenticeship stories | Minstead Trust