TFN’s monthly reviews of social enterprise eateries sees Gareth Jones visit the Makers Café in Alloa, which is operated by Scottish Autism
The Makers Café’s delicious scones are creating a big fuss in the wee county, so seeking out this hidden gem in Alloa is well worth the effort.
Situated on the site of a former school, the Makers Café is only steps away from Alloa’s town hall, but set within a sizeable housing development so you’d be forgiven for missing it.
The community hub, which Scottish Autism took over last winter, has built up a loyal local clientele by offering top-quality food and drinks at prices that won’t break the bank.
“We have had people tell us that our scones are famous in the area,” said café practitioner Laura Morgan. “They are huge, and they are very popular.”
And it’s not just the scones that are homemade at Makers, the jam they are smothered with is also made by Scottish Autism volunteers.
When I arrive for a post-lunchtime snack on a Friday, the café is full and the atmosphere is bustling. Friendly staff take orders at the table, and the conference facility is full for a meeting.
The cakes and hot drinks we order do not disappoint. The scone is as good as promised, which means that it is primed for topping with butter, cream or the artisan jam. The strawberry sponge is delicate and extremely sweet – perfect for sugar addicts like my partner.
For those looking for a more substantial meal, Makers serves breakfasts until 11.30am, with all meat sourced from local butchers J and W Aitken.
There are also sandwiches, toasties, soups, wraps and baked potatoes available, alongside a wide range of teas and coffees.
As well as operating as a café five days a week, Makers is a base for delivering outreach and day opportunities for Scottish Autism service users, and plays host to events and workshops for community groups.
The previous Makers Gallery and Bistro was run by Reachout with Arts in Mind and became available after the group’s five-year funding came to an end last year.
Scottish Autism was the natural successor to take on the community hub, as the charity had been based in Clackmannanshire for many years.
The café offers placements for up to five volunteers a day. Anyone with a disability can apply for the roles, which are aimed at helping give people the confidence to enter the world of work.
Laura said: “If employers haven’t been on training programmes then it can be a challenge to employ people with autism.
“We have some people who are here on more of a full-time basis but the idea is to provide short-term placements for people to help them gain the confidence and skills to go into full-time employment.
“We want this to be a place for the community in general. The majority of our services are behind closed doors so it is nice to be able to open up to the public.”
The café also provides outside catering for community organisations, and has been trialling afternoon teas, which have received a warm reception from regular customers.
All in all, the Makers Café provided some much needed refreshments on a Friday afternoon, and I will definitely be returning to try the afternoon tea when the plans come to fruition.
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