Lauren Tennant has been running an eight week barista course with inmates inside Arohata women's prison, helping them to gain job skills and avoid reoffending once they are freed. Photo/ Getty Images

Wellington cafe offers ex-prisoners a chance at employment

Author: Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2018, 10:20AM

A cafe with a difference is opening its doors in Wellington this week.

Trade School Kitchen will launch in Lower Hutt tomorrow, offering ex-prisoners a chance at employment and reintegration into society.

Lauren Tennant is the woman behind the idea. She has been running an eight week barista course with inmates inside Arohata women's prison, helping them to gain job skills and avoid reoffending once they are freed.

Those that have completed the course will now have a chance at employment as baristas at the new cafe.

Tennant says it's quite a beautiful transformation throughout the programme,

" These people are amazing workers and very capable and they shouldn't have less opportunity than us once they get released."

LISTEN ABOVE AS LORNA SUBRITZKY SPEAKS WITH LAUREN TENNANT