COMIC Relief cash has dished up opportunities for people with learning difficulties in Oxford to sample working life.

The Oxford Mail announced this week that grants of up to £1,000 are available for small charities and organisations in Oxfordshire.

For the first time, we are distributing a £50,000 Red Nose Day Community Cash fund.

And some charities already know a small pot of money can make the world of difference.

My Cafe, run by the My Life My Choice association, used a £1,000 Comic Relief grant to set up a project run and managed by people with learning difficulties.

It opened in the West Oxford Community Centre in Botley Road last March and has employed about 20 people on a voluntary basis since then.

Brian Michell, from the charity, said: “Comic Relief money was very important in helping with the start-up costs of the cafe.

“It might not sound a lot, but it allowed us to apply a fresh coat of paint, and buy things like the coffee machine.

“It makes a huge difference to the lives of the people who work here. For a lot of them, they would just be sat at home with nothing to do if they didn’t work here.

“If you have a learning difficulty, there aren’t many employment opportunities, as often you can’t handle money or deal with the public well. This cafe builds their self-esteem and confidence.

“And it’s important for others to see that these are just people with learning difficulties, not aliens.”

Dawn Wiltshire, 51, from Kidlington, works at the cafe on Thursdays and Fridays. She is partially sighted. She said: “I’ve been here since the cafe opened in March. It makes me more independent. The money made a real difference.”

Paul Scarrott, 42, from Blackbird Leys, works at the cafe on Wednesdays and Fridays. He is partially deaf and has Dandy-Walker syndrome, which affects his ability to read and write.

He said: “People often think people like me must just sit at home on our backsides.

“But we want to prove to people that although we have difficulties, we can do the same jobs as them – just in a different way.

“I have had jobs in the past, but because I can’t read or write very well, I was washed up for a long time. I had a nervous breakdown and then someone told me about this scheme. Now my confidence is back.”

The cafe is open five days a week.

  • For details of how to apply for a grant, click on the link below or call 01865 798666. The closing date for applications is Thursday, March 10.
  • We also want to know about your Red Nose Day events, both before and afterwards. Send us your stories via the link below.