Matt Walker and Matt Gallagher at Cafe Ink, a sustainable living cafe in Woden. Photo: Kate Leith

By Frances Stewart
Canberra Times
June 6, 2010

It's a social enterprise that's fast becoming a social hub. Cafe Ink at the Woden Library will be officially opened by Chief Minister Jon Stanhope on Thursday, but has been gaining a share of the office worker and library lunch crowd for the past five weeks.

Located between the Woden Library and the ACT Government Shopfront and operated by Woden Community Service, it is the ACT's first Fair Trade cafe, selling products including coffee and chocolate, organic juices, freshly made sandwiches, home-made cakes and light meals.

A small environmental footprint is also important to the business, which uses recyclable packaging and compostable takeaway cups, minimises food waste and works with local and ethical producers and suppliers.

However the cafe's main purpose is to provide disadvantaged people with a supportive environment to increase their social and economic participation through paid employment, work-skill development and the opportunity to access certified
training.

Manager Matt Gallagher saidthe business model had a range of benefits. "We are excited about the opportunity to start a business that assists people to re-enter the workforce," he said.

"It's a different way to provide our services. This is a way to include them in the community, to provide social engagement, to work, to get skills and to get pathways into other employment."

The cafe employs about 10 of Woden Community Services clients including long-term job- seekers and migrants.

"It's not enough to say, 'Here's an opportunity to work'. People need support from program workers, they need to earn a wage and have a role that's a valued role," he said.