After overcoming his battle with mental health, Stefan has found himself at home brewing coffee in Buddina.
Stefan has come a long way since linking up with STEPS Employment Solutions five months ago, leaving behind his three years of work as an apprentice carpenter.
Turning to STEPS to help create a new career path, Stefan was keen to learn how to make coffee.
After completing a short barista course and gaining some experience through volunteer work, Stefan secured a paid position as a barista with endED Espresso in Buddina.
He’s also putting his talents with a guitar to good use, playing live music for customers at the café.
endED was originally set up in 2015 to support those struggling with an eating disorder. Owners Mark and Gay Forbes also lay claim to building Australia’s first live-in eating disorder residential facility, Wandi Nerida, which is now run by the Butterfly Foundation in Mooloolah Valley. Mark and Gay have since moved on to establish the endED House of Hope, Australia’s first eating disorder transitional support house located at Woombye.
endED’s foundation is built on compassion, connection and community, something that has been exemplified through their work with Stefan.
The endED Espresso Bar was this year established to create a safe, supportive work environment for people journeying the ED world and related mental illnesses.
Moving forward, Stefan now has the option to potentially be trained into management.
