Cafe Assistant

Derbyshire County Council; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer pension

Annual leave

Free parking

Meaningful work

Job summary

The Deer Shed Café in Alfreton Park invites applications for a Café Assistant to help run a friendly, welcoming service while supporting young people aged 19-25 with additional needs to gain practical hospitality and employability skills.

The successful candidate will work alongside trainees, guiding them to build confidence, independence and customer service capabilities in a rewarding, hands-on environment that connects education with real work.

Responsibilities

• Assist in day-to-day café operations.
• Provide a warm, welcoming experience for customers.
• Support trainees aged 19–25 with additional needs to develop skills.
• Guide and encourage trainees to build confidence and independence.
• Contribute to meeting health and safety standards.

Job description

Closing date: 19 October 2026

The Deer Shed is looking for a friendly, enthusiastic and supportive Café Assistant to join our team at The Deer Shed Café in the beautiful surroundings of Alfreton Park.

This is much more than a traditional Café Assistant role. Alongside helping with the day-to-day running of the café and providing a warm and welcoming experience for our customers, you will play an important part in supporting young people aged 19-25 with additional needs and learning disabilities to develop practical hospitality, customer service and employability skills.

You will work alongside our trainees, encouraging and guiding them as they build confidence, independence and skills for the future. This is a hands-on and rewarding role that requires patience, flexibility and a positive attitude, as well as a genuine desire to help young people achieve their potential.

The Deer Shed is a charity founded by Alfreton Park School to provide a vital bridge between education and employment for young people with additional needs. Through real-world work experience and practical training, we help young people discover their potential, grow in confidence, develop skills for life and move towards meaningful paid employment.

Benefits

• Employer pension scheme


• 15 days annual leave per annum (5 weeks pro rata), plus public holidays, pro rata


• Free on-site parking


• A unique opportunity to combine working in a welcoming café environment with a role that makes a genuine and lasting difference to young people's lives