A community café in Conwy – run as part of an innovative charity partnership – is fast becoming a ‘go to’ place for foodies.

Caffi Dai is based at the redeveloped Byrn Euryn Nursery in Mochdre. It opened in August 2024 and is run in partnership between Conwy County Borough Council and the charity Hft, which supports learning disabled adults.

One of HFT's interns shows off his homemade Bakewell tarts

Caffi Dai acts as a training ground for Hft interns. They support learning disabled people each day for a fixed term to help them gain accredited qualifications and experience. This enables them move into the world of work.

The café has been a hit since it opened, quickly becoming known for its baked goods, including homemade cakes and traditional Welsh fruit loaf Bara Brith. These are lovingly crafted by the interns supported by time-served pastry chef Meg.

The interns are supported in their learning by Meg and a support worker and help with tasks including laying tables, prepping food, cooking and serving behind the counter.

Hft’s Supported Employment team has been central with the success of the interns development.

Hannah is the Employability Coach who has supported the interns to develop their skills both in the kitchen and front of house.

She has supported them from the beginning of their journey by introducing them to the café and has worked closely with the cook and Front of house staff to ensure that they have every opportunity to fulfil the roles involved in the running the café.

The café, which sits just off the busy A55 and is run by catering manager Mark Kelly and Hft regional manager for Wales Alexandra Badwi, also boasts an impressive range of coffee.

A scrabble set, coffee and slice of cake at Caffi Dai

The ethically produced coffee is provided by locally based micro roasters Mug Run. The company trained up the interns as baristas to serve hot drinks including cappuccinos, lattes and flat whites.

Caffi Dai catering manager Mark Kelly said: “Caffi Dai is becoming known as a unique destination café thanks to its stand out coffee and a range of delightful home baked goods.

“Alex and I spent three months researching our coffee offering to make sure we got the best quality for our customers.

“Not only is the café a fabulous place to stop off, enjoy a bite to eat and relax, it also offers vital training to our interns as they move on and develop new skills they can use in the next stage of their lives.”

Caffi Dai's delicious cooked breakfast, with homecooked ham

The café also offers breakfasts and brunch and a light lunch menu with jacket potatoes, toasties and soups and sandwiches featured on the menu.

A favourite among customers is the homemade lentil and sweet potato curry, with a range of vegan options available.

The café cooks 90 per cent of its dishes fresh on the premises. “We even cook our own hams here,” said Mark. “It certainly doesn’t come from a packet.

“It is important to us to source our produce locally and support our local producers and cook as much as we can fresh on site and made to order.”

The café is also offering cream teas. It has a dog friendly area and is registered as a breastfeeding friendly venue, with all breastfeeding mums offered a free hot drink during their visit.

It has also recently been awarded a five star food hygiene rating.

Some of the furniture in the café is preloved, with items being upcycled as part of a project also run by Hft. There is also a terrace outside for people to enjoy an al fresco visit.

“People say it’s a lovely, calm, relaxing and quiet space,” said Alex. “And it’s a place where everyone is welcome.”

The café is the second run by Hft in partnership with a local council. The first Caffi Dai – previously Rowley’s Pantry – opened in Shotton, North Wales three years ago and is run in partnership with Flintshire County Council.

The venue, a community diversity café, underwent a major refurbishment as part of the takeover by Hft. It was named after a large dragon puppet, which hangs from the ceiling in the venue, gifted to the charity by community group Rainbow Biz.

The café also supports learning disabled adults to learn catering skills and is renowned for its award-winning Welsh Rarebit.

It also hosts a regular business networking group along with theatre performances with afternoon teas and has an outside catering arm.

“Caffi Dai is a very unique place,” said Mark. “What we do here, we do with real passion and enthusiasm.

“The people we support love being part of the team and get so much out of making from scratch the food which we serve to customers.”

Caffi Dai intern Conner said: “I like the café because it is a comfy and safe space.

“I can be friendly with customers and staff. I have been enjoying learning how to use the coffee machine.”

Caffi Dai sits alongside a residential respite service and day centre at Bron Y Nant, run by Conwy County Borough Council.

Mochdre’s Caffi Dai currently opens Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 4pm and will be opening at weekends in the Spring.

“For those who haven’t visited, we’d love to welcome them to Caffi Dai,” said Mark. “Everyone is guaranteed delicious food and a very warm welcome.”

Revenue from the café is reinvested into services and the people Hft supports.

To find out more about Caffi Dai visit its Facebook page for updates.