Celebrations at launch of ‘Caffi Cyfle’ at Alyn Waters country park

A country park cafe that offers work opportunities for disabled people celebrated its grand reopening last week.

Caffi Cyfle, located on the Gwersyllt side of Alyn Waters, was taken over by Groundwork North Wales on Monday 1st April.

The organisation, which works with a number of partners and volunteers throughout the region to improve health and wellbeing across Wales, took over management of the cafe on behalf of Wrexham County Council.

Last Friday representatives from the public and private sectors were invited to celebrate the relaunch of the café which they have renamed ‘Caffi Cyfle’ – Welsh for Cafe of Opportunity.

The name means café of opportunity and is named as such because of Groundwork North Wales’ provision of inclusive opportunities for the wider community to participate in work and volunteering programmes at the site.

New menus have been introduced at the café, which has also benefitted from a refurbishment to create a welcoming place for the local community to come together in an inclusive way and for park visitors to enjoy delicious sustainably sourced food and drink.

The menus are based on fresh, sustainably sourced, seasonal local ingredients from some of the best Welsh suppliers.

Those in attendance at the launch event included Wrexham AM Lesley Griffiths, who said: “With the future of the café at Alyn Waters thrown into doubt, Groundwork North Wales have stepped in and helped ensure the newly-named Caffi Cyfle will continue to provide valuable support and opportunities for local people living with a disability.”

“Individuals will still have the chance to train, work and learn new skills but Groundwork North Wales have indicated this is just the beginning, with plans in the pipeline to help the facility grow and further develop.

“One aspect is already in place as the exciting new menu promoting quality, local and fresh produce will certainly help boost the café’s profile and reputation.”

“Thank you to everyone at Groundwork North Wales for inviting me to officially open Caffi Cyfle and I am sure Wrexham residents will support the new venture.”

Karen Balmer, chief executive of Groundwork North Wales said: “We are proud to have taken over management of the café and conference centre at Alyn Waters and are delighted to have been able to celebrate the reopening in this way.

“I would like to thank Lesley Griffiths for formally opening Caffi Cyfle, thank all those who attended the reopening and of course thank those who have been loyal customers in the past and who have been so positive about our new management of the facilities at Alyn Waters.

“Caffi Cyfle will continue the great work already undertaken by the council to support the local community and we will continue to provide, and indeed develop, the range of inclusive employment and volunteering opportunities available through the café.”

She added: “We have put together a menu which reflects the best of Welsh produce and caters to the wide range of visitors to the park including walkers, runners, cyclists, anglers and families visiting the country park as well as those participating in Pedal Power, the all ability cycling service which Groundwork North Wales work with Cycling 4 All to provide.

“We hope it will create a loyal following amongst both the local community and visitors to the area, both for those visiting the park and as a destination in its own right.”

The change of management of cafe comes as a result of ongoing council budget cuts.

Until recently the cafe was operated by the council’s environment department and adult social care who provided workplace training and employment for adults with learning disabilities.

In 2017 there was anger from councillors after proposals emerged in that ‘Difficult Decisions’ consultation to cease a £4 a day wage for those involved with the day and work opportunities projects, with the cafe in Alyn Waters also part of the wider discussion.

In a bid to make savings of £334,000 Wrexham Council last year put out an open invite for commercial and social enterprises interested in taking over the running of the cafe to get in touch

Cllr Joan Lowe, lead member fo health and adult social care, said: “The cafe at Alyn Waters is an excellent place for individuals with learning difficulties to learn new skills, and has provided them with some much-appreciated opportunities and work. And the new name, Caffi Cyfle, embodies that spirit.

“Groundwork are very well placed to continue that work, and we look forward to working with them in future.”

Groundwork North Wales will also take over the management of the conference facilities at Alyn Waters, continuing to provide a venue for businesses to host meetings, seminars and other events in a modern, purpose built setting with beautiful views and access to excellent catering.

The conference centre is available to book now through Groundwork North Wales. To make an enquiry please contact Debbie Cleverley on 01978 269564 or at [email protected].