How will the funding be spent?

The $47,750 will be spent on recruiting a Project Officer for 26 weeks ($33,670 inc oncosts) & set-up costs ($14080) to refurbish the Café premises & purchase kitchen equipment. The Project Officer’s role will include developing a business & marketing plan, marketing research, securing other funding streams ($125,000) for 12 months operational funds, developing policies, procedures, marketing promotional strategies, risk management plan, ensure compliance with federal & state regulations.

How will the project be delivered?

The Café will specialise in selling affordable, healthy Vietnamese food. It will contribute to improving community health & wellbeing through achieving economic, social, cultural & environmental change & will benefit the target group especially increased employment. The Café will open 5 days per week 10.30am to 7.00pm daily & will be launched in September/October 2017. Working towards being a financially viable & sustainable business within 2 years.

How many people will directly benefit from this project?

10 employees, 24 + volunteers & trainees, 1000’s of healthy food eaters & customers & local businesses.

How will you measure the impact of this project?

DH Social Enterprise Café will conduct an evaluation at 6 months & 12 months of operation to measure that the objectives of the project are achieved, also the impacts of the project & that the café has commenced operation which will include :
• Development of the business & marketing plan
• Coordinating marketing research
• Secured $125,000 funds for 12 months operational funds
• Developed policies & procedures for implementation
• Developed marketing & promotional strategies
• Ensure all legal, federal & state regulations are identified & complied to
• Assist in creating job descriptions
• Assist in recruitment of staff
• Secured & refurbished a suitable venue in The Port.
• Promotion to businesses & potential customers prior to opening and ongoing promotion
• Gathering statistics of the number of regular customers on a weekly & monthly basis
• Conducting employee & customer satisfaction surveys
• Monthly financial reports
• Monthly progress reports
• End of project report
• The Café has commenced operations

How will the project fit this year's theme of ‘Connect, Grow, Build, Belong’?

DH Social Enterprise Café will prepare and sell Vietnamese style take away food in the commercial sector of the Port providing 10 employment placements for socially & economically disadvantaged people in the first 12 months of operation. We aim to reduce stigma associated with mental illness through raising community awareness. The Café will enable people to work productively, change, learn, grow & connect socially while building their skills & confidence & enhancing a better quality of life.