A cafe offering life-changing training to people with disabilities has launched a fundraising bid to stay open.

Not-for-profit Cherry Tree Cafe, in Woodbine Place, Wanstead, teaches skills in catering and customer service, while boosting self-confidence.

The cafe gives people with learning difficulties the opportunity to gain experience in the workplace and increase prospects for employment. 

A fundraising monthly market will be held once a month, which is also hoped to bring awareness of the cafe to the community.

Manager Kerry Barone is worried the cafe could be forced to close down if business does not improve.

She said: “There is huge competition from coffee shops on the high street and we are a bit back from that, tucked around the corner.

The first monthly mini market will be held at the cafe this Sunday from 11am to 3pm, with a range of stalls selling things such as books, jewellery and plants.

The cafe employs seven staff with a range of conditions, including Alzheimer’s, Autism and Asperger’s syndrome.

Miss Barone added: “I am passionate about this and I have seen the progress our workers have made. Half of them couldn’t use the till or spell, but now they could run the cafe with their eyes closed."

For more on this story, see next week's Guardian - out Thursday.