Caboolture Workers Co-op was established in 2006 with the support of local disability organisation, Home-Life, to address the problem of long-term unemployment for people with cognitive disabilities in Moreton Bay.
Home-Life were motivated by their service-users who wanted a job but had been excluded from the workforce because of their disabilities. This was having a negative impact on their self-esteem and mental health. Workers from Home-Life knew that research demonstrated the value of people having a job in terms of an improved sense of personal well-being and reduced reliance on medical and mental health supports.
They investigated social enterprise models and were impressed by the inclusive model and framework of NCEC (Nundah Co-op) which, as a member owned and managed co-operative, places its members at the centre of the organisation as active participants and decision-makers. So along with the support of family and friends, Caboolture locals established their own worker-led co-operative.
Until 2022 working in partnerships, first with Home Life, and then Better Together, the Caboolture Co-op proudly supported job creation and job security for over 100 vulnerable individuals through initiatives such as: office cleaning, car-washing, newspaper delivery, lawn mowing and Lagoon Creek Café.
In June 2022, working independently for the first time, the Co-op purchased the cafe in the Morayfield Health Hub, a brand-new initiative from where to deliver on its mission of meaningful employment for people with cognitive disabilities.
Currently, this café provides 80 hours of paid employment weekly for up to 10 workers with cognitive disabilities. All workers are paid award wages, and for many, this has been their first experience of earning a regular income. Workers report feeling more confident, capable and socially connected.
This cafe is the “Heart of the Hub” where medical staff who work hard caring for their community, and patients receiving care are nourished by good food, good coffee and good vibes.
