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Employment Program

Creating real opportunities for meaningful work

At General Store at the Heart, we believe everyone deserves the chance to learn, grow, and feel part of something meaningful. Our café was built on that mission—to offer a supportive, welcoming space where people can gain valuable skills, practical experience, and the confidence to pursue employment.

Many people living with disability, or those who have faced trauma or barriers in education, have missed out on opportunities to build the experience and self-belief needed to take that next step. That’s why we created our Employment Program.

Developed by our director, Fern Lawson, the program is designed to support individuals to learn real hospitality and retail skills while also gaining the tools they need to navigate the workforce and build a future they’re proud of.

The program runs for 65 hours, usually completed over 3–4 hour sessions once a week, at a pace that suits each participant. Each person is matched with a dedicated mentor, trained in both disability support and hospitality, providing guidance, encouragement, and consistency throughout the program.
✦ One-on-one mentoring with a trained hospitality and support worker
✦ Completion of a local food safety course
✦ Barista training through our partnering coffee academy
✦ Hands-on experience in:
- Customer service
- Coffee making
- Kitchen and food service
- Cleaning, restocking, and point-of-sale systems
✦ Resume building and interview preparation
✦ Support to understand employment contracts, workplace rights, and expectations
✦ A certificate of completion and personal reference
✦ Guidance towards future work, training, or volunteering opportunities
This program is available for privately funded participants or those who are eligible for NDIS funding. We work with individuals to determine the most suitable funding pathway based on their needs and circumstances.
This isn’t just about gaining skills—it’s about creating a space where people feel seen, supported, and genuinely included. For many of our participants, it’s the first time they’ve felt part of a team. We take that seriously, and we do it with heart.
We accept referrals from individuals, families, support coordinators, and organisations. If you or someone you support is looking for a pathway into employment with the right support behind them, we’d love to connect.