A not-for-profit cafe and social enterprise that helps and trains young people with learning disabilities is set to open its first permanent home in West Ealing.
Mahaba Cafe will launch its dedicated space next month (May 2025) on Singapore Road in the Green Man Lane estate. Until now, the award-winning programme has run its training sessions out of local venues across Ealing including Bobo Social, Reineta, and the Ealing Project.
The move marks a significant step forward for the social enterprise. Since its launch in 2023, Mahaba has supported 29 young people through its training scheme with more than half of those actively seeking work going on to secure employment.
Muriel Morgan Walckiers, founder of Mahaba Cafe, said: “It’s unacceptable that so many talented young people with learning disabilities are overlooked for employment and face unnecessary barriers.”
Ms Walckiers added: “At Mahaba Cafe, we firmly believe that every young person deserves the same opportunities to work and thrive. This new cafe isn’t just a coffee shop; it’s a social enterprise for good, a place where we’re brewing real change.”
With only 1.8% of adults in Ealing with learning disabilities currently in work – well below the London average – the programme aims to challenge a persistent employment gap and foster a more inclusive local economy.
The cafe will also function as a community space and open to all.
Ms Walckiers said Mahaba is now appealing to West London businesses to build a network of support through volunteering, donations, and skill sharing.
She said: “We have been incredibly fortunate to collaborate with supportive local businesses like Reineta, the Ealing Project and Bobo Social. Now, we are reaching out to our new neighbouring businesses and the wider West London community to join us in championing employment equality in Ealing and beyond.”
Ms Walckiers added: “It’s vital and not difficult to make a life-changing difference to talented and exceptional young people. We urge businesses to come and visit us to see first-hand the transformational impact we are delivering.”
