Social enterprise Fair Shot Café to open in Mayfair

Fair Shot provides on-the-job training, places trainees in paid employment and partners with employers to create more jobs for adults with learning disabilities. It works with West London College to develop and operate its annual trainee program and Action on Disability, which provides ongoing support to trainees while employed.

Founder and CEO Bianca Tavella set up the business to address what she says is the UK’s current 94% unemployment levels for young people with learning disabilities. The café aims to transform the lives of young adults with learning disabilities by helping them gain the skills needed to begin a career in hospitality.

“Currently in the UK, young people with a learning disability face 94% unemployment and for those that do find employment, 80% are either fired or leave due to inadequate support and training,” she says.

“With Fair Shot we aim to make real social impact on how business owners hire, train and support this community of extremely willing, extremely capable individuals.”

Before establishing Fair Shot, Tavella worked at Petersham Nurseries designing and launching its Covent Garden store. Over the pandemic, she raised £300,000 to fund her new venture.

“What I love about Fair Shot is working with Bianca. It is a real privilege,” says Fair Shot Café trainee Simon Arwas.

“She has a clear vision for what she wants her business to be. It’s been really interesting learning about all the different coffees and the thing I’m most looking forward to is for Fair Shot to open and to get started.”