Fancy a coffee? Better yet, fancy a coffee that not only tastes good but makes you feel good too? Giraffe Cafe is actually the social enterprise arm of ‘CheckIn Works’. Their South Street Cafe began trading in 2009. Four years later, in 2013, their sister cafe in Mill Street (outside the cinema) opened its doors. Giraffe/CheckIn Works is a unique organisation which offers employment and skill growth opportunities throughout Perth.

People from many different walks of life are benefiting from their work with Giraffe Cafe. What's more, the skills they develop open up wider opportunities in the job market for them. The work of Giraffe/Chekin works is aimed at giving people the chance to see their own potential. From here Giraffe/ChekIn works is there to support them as they grow to become ‘confident, able employees for the future’.

From small to tall

Giraffe Cafe isn't afraid to respond to what people want. Giraffe trading started out with their cafe and a small selection of gifts, but the gift section has evolved over time to become a significant part of what they do. They have a wide selection of gift items, many sourced from local artists. They have a suprprisingly wide selection on offer and with Christmas coming up it's not a bad time to pop along and see what they have for yourself (it also doesn't hurt that you can get yourself a wee coffee and cake while you're looking).

When you pop in to see them don't forget to use your Mi Rewards registered payment card (if you haven't signed up yet click here, it's free, easy, and gives you something back for supporting your local shops and businesses). Giraffe Cafe are really pleased to be able to give you something back through Mi Rewards. Janet Young (manager of the Mill Street Giraffe Cafe) said: "I hope that it will give Mi Rewards members an excuse to pop in and give us a try. Giraffe Cafe is a unique type of business and contacts with other local businesses are important to us. A key part of a scheme like Mi Rewards is that it gets everyone joined together as a community to reward people." We couldn't have said it better ourselves, thank you Janet.

A surprising amount of reach

Giraffe offers a varying menu with many items prepared using fruit and vegetables grown in their own nursery and walled garden ‘Springland Plants’. You can also buy their delicious ingredients from their garden centre (Ladeside Community Garden Centre). Giraffe cafe really is an organisation with some surprising reach and admirable goals (their coffee is pretty good too). Make sure you pop in to find out more next time you're passing by.