A new venture aiming to help students with learning disabilities gain work skills, that will provide a small café, toddler play space and more, has opened its doors in Wiveliscombe.

Housed in the former Community Office in The Square, Ruth’s Den has been set up by Ruth Irvine, who has been supporting adults with disabilities for the past 20 years and has been a micro-provider (private carer) for the last four.

“This has been more person-centred care, and I realised there is a whole group who could work if people spend time supporting them to gain work skills. My ultimate goal is that they can leave here and get a job,” said Ruth.

There will be several strands to the work and the space is set up to provide visitors with a café area, where students will learn about food preparation; a toy library, where reception and people skills can be taught, and a toddler group to involve students interested in child care.

Ruth aims that in time the space will become a community hub for activities from after school clubs to fundraising and community events – but “this is all to come, the work with the students is the first step.”

Numbers are small, with a capacity for up to five students at a time, and a ratio of no more than two students to one staff member. They will do courses in food preparation or child care, depending on their interests, and go on to do Level 2 courses.

As well as Ruth, there will be three other micro-providers and two volunteers, both of whom are ex-teachers.

Local people have helped create Ruth’s Den, and “we want to help the youth of Wivey and also have a space where people can get together and not be alone.”