A GOLDTHORPE cafe has made a big impression on the local community since opening in February, earning a nomination for Start Up of the Year.

Not-for-profit business, Snap Tin Cafe, was started by 59-year-old Anita Heatherglen, who spotted a gap in the market to provide post-college opportunities for those with learning difficulties and disabilities.

Anita was due to retire from her role at Barnsley College working with students with additional learning needs, when she came up with the idea for Snap Tin Cafe to offer placement opportunities and allow the students she worked with to continue to learn.

She says Big Local and the local community have been very supportive since the cafe took up residence at The Factory on Barnburgh Lane.

"I had had the idea and have wanted to do this for some time," said Anita.

"When the students left college there was little opportunity for them to carry on learning. There are lots of drama projects and things like day centres out there, but nothing like this. Since setting up we have had a lot of support from the local community.  There is still a lot to do but we're really pleased with how it's going now. We get such a lot of satisfaction out of it."

Anita is hoping to be able to help rehabilitate young offenders and has been working with local services to give them the option of training at Snap Tin Cafe, instead of confining them to litter picking or similar activities. A reasonably priced community cafe which could act as a hub was something Big Local was keen to secure for the area, however, Anita is hoping she isn't rushed off her feet.

"Sometimes people come in and say that the cafe isn't very busy," she said.

"But we don't want it to be too busy as we need the students to learn customer service skills and take the time with them without rushing.

"We have crafts and a very popular ukulele classes which have gone from strength to strength.

"We have also started a memory cafe one day each month as when we were opening the cafe, I did some dementia awareness training and really wanted to help support people with dementia.

"And we offer short breaks for people with learning difficulties. "When you start to list all the things we've done since opening the cafe, there's no wonder I'm tired," she said.