Serving the Community

As with most good ideas, necessity is the mother of invention – and sometimes, literal mothers are too.

When Angie Daviesʼ son Jack, who has autism, was preparing to graduate from high school, she was left frustrated after a meeting with the schoolʼs transition team.

“His options coming out of high school were really few and far between and I didnʼt think that was okay,” Angie tells me as we sit outside the Spectrum Coffee café, a stream of customers coming and going all the while.

“I remember driving home from Kilpatrick and I was ranting the whole way about how unfair it is.”

Later while taking her dog for a walk, pondering Jackʼs future, and then grabbing a coffee with her husband, the two concepts melded in Angieʼs mind and “before you know it, I had this whole plan.”

Start of Something Special

And in January this year her plan finally came to fruition, as Spectrum Coffee - West Dunbartonshireʼs newest autism-friendly coffee spot - opened its doors at Unit 19 on the Vale of Leven Industrial Estate.

For Angie, going from being self-employed as a make-up artist to running a hospitality business has come with its own unique set of challenges.

“Iʼve had my own business but thatʼs been just me. You have all these plans about how itʼs going to go and in reality, that is so far from the truth.

“Although my strict need for routine for my son and myself has been really contradictory - I like to pivot and make changes quickly, but at the same time, I like to have a plan.”

A key part of that plan has been to offer a space where autistic and neurodivergent individuals can gain valuable work experience while also providing them with adjustments and accommodations they might not get among the wider workforce.

“I feel that everybodyʼs got a right to want to work,” Angie explains.

“There are so many young people who want to work, they just don't have an accommodating workspace, and I really think thereʼs a basic right to meaningful employment.

“Obviously, there are so many statistics saying so many disabled people are out of work claiming benefits, but I think itʼs very unfair, because thereʼs just not work available thatʼs going to suit them.”

Enjoyable Experience For All

Understandably, the high-pressure, unpredictable hospitality industry isnʼt necessarily the best fit for autistic persons looking for work.

So Angie was keen to implement workarounds for her employees and young volunteers to help make their work experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

“We have a supported service session, and weʼve got three young people who come in to utilise that, one being my son.

“He was a guinea pig, and if there were any tweaks to be made they were made for other people, which was very nice of Jack to volunteer.”

Angie explains how the supported service session works.

“Basically, we are closed to the public and I have four tables booked at fifteen-minute intervals. The young person knows whoʼs theyʼre going to be serving and it just gives them a fair crack at the whip, a fair opportunity to do a bit of meaningful employment.

“It also gives the customers coming in a really good experience, because not only are they making a difference, but theyʼre also getting to learn about autism.

“No two autistic people are the same. One day, you could be served by Jack, who is very matter of fact, but gets the job done. And the next day, you can be served by Kirsty, who is so empathetic. And, obviously, itʼs about spreading awareness as well.

“Customers really appreciate the fact theyʼve been given an opportunity to come in for a special session, and are part of a young person's journey.”

Grateful & Hopeful

So far, Angie has been overwhelmed by the caféʼs popularity and is eager to share stories of how it has helped her young staff members, including her son.

“I know the difference itʼs making. When Jack first came in for a service shift, he was very robotic. The next week I heard him say “hi, welcome.” And it was still robotic, but there was definitely a bit more emotion, and he waited the appropriate amount of time for the person to reply before getting to business.

“I was very proud, this is making the differences.

“And Mirin, when I walked into the kitchen, she would walk out. She wouldnʼt even look at me, she was terrified.

“But sheʼs so involved. She got called in today because one of the chefs is off sick, sheʼs coming to help cover. She was on my TikTok yesterday, running down the street with a Lomond Eats bag.

“Thatʼs not the Mirin who started, literally, just a few months ago. Itʼs just crazy. And Mirinʼs mum has also been very vocal about the changes in her daughter, and how thankful sheʼs been given a chance.”

Being autistic myself, all of this certainly rang a bell with me.

When I started looking for my first job, I deliberately avoided anything in the hospitality industry as I knew I would find it too stressful.

Looking back now, I can see how I wouldʼve benefited from a place like Spectrum Coffee and why itʼs continued prosperity would be a great boon to young autistic and neurodivergent people in the West Dunbartonshire area, and many others besides.

“Iʼm really keen to support as much of the community as physically possible,” Angie says.

“Obviously, weʼve got a great space. If you can come to us and use it, feel free. Weʼve got a peri-menopause group that come once a month, an ADHD support, a womenʼs support group.

“I will happily open my doors and let community groups and social clubs use it free of charge.”

There are more big plans and big ideas hopefully on the horizon for Spectrum Coffee, with Angie enthusiastic about implementing things like cookery courses and charity events.

She, and I, are confident with the continued love and support of the local community, the café will go from strength to strength.

Next time you find yourself in the mood for a coffee, why not go down the Spectrum and see the difference you can make.