Luci joined our Step Up for Work programme, a work and training programme for people with learning disabilities, autism and other additional needs before beginning a work placement at Lily&Lime café where her natural talent shone.

She was offered an apprenticeship and has excelled on the programme. Luci has worked independently at our Kingston Road Cafe in 2022 and is now part of the team in the View Café.

Luci has struggled with her mental health for a long time, but she is grateful to be in a supportive environment where she feels like she can be herself.

Luci says:

‘Currently I have been struggling with my mental health but trying to stay positive. It makes me feel like I don’t want to do things because I feel exhausted but I get myself up to try and do something.

Being at Lily&Lime has helped because it gives me a purpose and everyone is kind and accepting of me and who I am. I have made friends here and get on with everyone here.

I like watching films and TV shows. I would like to live independently in the future and I would like to run my own pop-up cafe.’