When Issie first joined Team Domenica in 2018, she was a shy 19-year-old hoping to build her confidence and find her calling. Flash forward to today and she’s thriving in her dream internship at Brighton College’s bustling Scott’s Café.

With the help of our programmes, Issie is now part of a welcoming team, confidently preparing drinks, clearing tables and serving customers. Issie’s journey hasn’t always been smooth, but it has been full of growth, resilience and joy. Let’s start at the very beginning…

A coffee connoisseur at Team Domenica

Issie started her journey on our Day Service provision, gradually building her confidence and life skills. As time progressed, we quickly recognised her flair for hospitality – especially on the coffee machine. From her earliest shifts in our training cafés, Issie was taking the time to get her drinks just right.

As Issie moved onto our education programmes, her confidence continued to grow. Despite facing a delay in her learning due to Covid-19, she remained engaged and enthusiastic. She formed friendships, became part of our community and found comfort in the structure and support around her. Looking back on her time at Team Domenica, she shared:

Team Domenica is like a family. I enjoyed being in the classroom with all the teachers and friends. I liked being in the cafés; it was lots of fun.

Although her initial supported internship didn’t work out, Issie never gave up. She moved onto our Wrap Around Programme and continued building her skills on Day Service. She was a regular at our vibrant socials and remained dedicated to achieving her workplace aspirations.

Thriving at Scott’s Café

In early 2025, Team Domenica supported Issie into a new internship with Chartwells Independent (part of Compass Group UK & I), at Scott’s Café within Brighton College.

With the help of a structured routine, and a tailored recipe book created by her supervisor, Valentina, Issie picked up her role quickly. She keeps the café running smoothly by making drinks, preparing food and clearing tables. She’s also come out of her shell and grown in confidence, especially on the till where she can now talk to pupils and share important allergen information.

[My placement] is really good. I like making lattes or being on the till. I’m getting good at serving customers, but I was nervous when I first arrived. Now it’s really nice here with the nice staff.

Team Domenica candidate, Issie

Building skills for life

Thanks to the foundations built at Team Domenica, Issie’s development has gone far beyond the workplace. She now travels independently by public transport, crosses roads confidently, shops for herself, prepares her own meals and volunteers at a local riding stables. She even goes line dancing!

Issie wouldn’t be in the position she is were it not for the wide variety of training and opportunities Team Domenica has presented her over the years. She now has her dream internship, surrounded by people she really likes. She feels like a valued team member and gets so much satisfaction from her work. Team Domenica has been truly life-changing – we’re so proud of all that Issie’s achieved.

Issie's mum, Susanne

Feeling inspired?

Issie’s story is a celebration of what’s possible when people with learning disabilities are given the time, care and support they need to find their strengths and thrive. We couldn’t be prouder. The Catering General Manager at Chartwell’s Independent, Helen, echoes this:

We love having Issie here at Scott’s Café – she’s brilliant! She’s a real asset to our team and her confidence has absolutely skyrocketed. Having Issie with us has also been a great point of visibility for our staff and pupils. Everyone has really welcomed her, and she’s really embraced her role. I cannot wait to see what she achieves next!

If you’re an employer looking to champion workplace inclusion, and help more young people achieve their career aspirations, contact our employment team to find out how you can make a difference: supported-employment@teamdomenica.com.