Creative can doers get crafty for café


Young participants from the Can Do Building Communities Programme in Sale have helped brighten up The Café in the Park at CFC Altrincham with some brand new artwork.

This programme is a great way to help young disabled people widen their skill sets and gives them the confidence to take on new challenges

Lisa Miller, Programme Coordinator for Can Do
A group of young people who take part in our can do project standing in front of a brick wall

The Can Doers, from Brentwood 6th Form in Sale, have been attending workshops with Matt Girling, an artist from Venture Arts who taught them various painting and printing techniques.

They then put their newfound skills into practice by producing a collaborative collage which aimed to make the cafe’s newly transferred outdoor space more welcoming for the wider community. 

The Can Do Programme is a development initiative activity based programme for young people aged 16 to 35 with additional needs, led by disability charity Leonard Cheshire. The project empowers young people to make a difference to their local community, as well as themselves, through a range of projects. 

Discussing the outcome of this project, Lisa Miller, Programme Coordinator for Can Do Manchester, said:

‘This programme is a great way to help young disabled people widen their skill sets and gives them the confidence to take on new challenges

‘It was brilliant seeing the creativity of our Sale Can Doers come to light, resulting in a beautiful painting that will no doubt be the focal point of The Café in the Park’s outdoor space.’

Media enquiries

For further please contact Erin O’Reilly via erin.o’reilly@leonardcheshire.org  

Notes to editors

Since 2008, Can Do has supported thousands of young people across the UK to contribute to their local communities through volunteering opportunities.