The West Cork Jesters, a pioneering non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting inclusivity through mixed abilities sports, has just opened a coffee shop at their clubhouse in Durrus. The coffee shop on the scenic Sheep’s Head is run by local people, many of whom have additional needs.
“A number of our members recently did a health and safety course to allow them to work in our little café, they passed with flying colours and are now part of the team who are running and managing this unique little gem,” shares spokesperson for the project, Susie Nicholson.
The coffee shop serves fresh coffee, teas, locally baked cakes and scones overlooking beautiful Dunmanus Bay on the Sheep’s Head.
“This project is so empowering for our young adults,” says Susie. “Most of us take it for granted that during those long summer holidays you can pick up any sort of job quite easily, especially within the hospitality industry. The same is not true for most of our young adults as, sadly without the aid of a jobs coach, the dream of having a little part-time job never actually becomes reality. This is a life changing opportunity for them.”
Susie is urging the public to support the project. “They are the most enthusiastic bunch, eager to please and keen to make your visit memorable. You will most definitely receive the friendliest of welcomes.”
Payment at the cafe is by cash donation and there is also an idonate page (search jesters) for anyone who would like to support this initiative.
The coffee shop is open every Saturday and Sunday, from 10-2pm. All proceeds go towards the continued upkeep of the clubhouse.
Welcome to the ‘Jesters family’
West Cork Jesters was founded in 2018 by Nobby Dunne, an outline instructor with CoAction Bantry, who successfully introduced tag rugby sessions for CoAction clients. Today, with players from all over West Cork and even Kerry, Jesters’ teams play full contact rugby aided by experienced players, participating in the Imart Mixed Abilities Rugby World Cup, which took place in Musgrave Park in 2022. At that time, the Jesters had a full men’s squad, and their ladies squad joined forces with the Ballincollig Trailblazers to compete in the World Cup. Building on this success, they formed a Jesters ladies team and are now working towards establishing an underage team. An IABA registered boxing club was established in 2023. Susie Nicholson, whose daughter started off playing in the tag rugby sessions, explains to West Cork People how Jesters has changed so many lives for the better.
“Nobby Dunne refers to what we are doing in the Jesters as the ‘credit union effect’, you take something…and you give something back,” she says.
“The most significant feedback we get is that these young adults, and children in the case of the boxing training, have something unique for themselves to look forward to during the week; they are learning new skills in a happy accepting environment and as a consequence making new friends.
“One mum of a teenager mentioned that for the very first time her son had somebody else’s number on his mobile phone; he now, at the age of 16…had a friend!”
Feeling valued and a part of something, empowerment, newfound confidence, being listened to, breaking down barriers, finding new opportunities and the positive effects of exercise are just a few of the benefits for participants.
Susie says that, for her own daughter, it has led to a more rounded and holistic lifestyle in their home.
“I suppose what has been the real bonus for us is to have her involved in such a big way with such a wonderful group of people, the ‘Jesters family’. The support and encouragement given are unparalleled.”
Being a part of the ‘Jesters family’ has opened up huge opportunities for everyone involved.
“I think The World Cup in 2022 was the absolute highlight,” says Susie. “To be part of that, to see joy on everybody’s faces who is taking part in this mixed ability rugby competition is a memory that will stay with me forever.”
One story from the World Cup tournament, which inspired everyone involved, was when a young man in a wheelchair was brought on to play towards the end of one of the matches. “When he put the ball into touch,” says Susie “the field of players and the crowds erupted. The smile on that man’s face was something to behold.”
Susie also mentions the friendships made over the past six years. “As a parent of a child or adult with additional needs, it can be very isolating, and especially so in the rural areas in which we live, so to now have all these new friends and friendships is something we all treasure. We help each other, we rely on each other to a degree and we all have the same focus and appreciation for what the Jesters organisation is doing for us all.”
There have been so many highlights since Jesters was formed. While participating in the World Cup probably holds the torch, there was also the introduction of the boxing club, which brought an influx of new and younger people to the organisation, successfully raising the funds to get their own clubhouse and green space, and of course most recently, the set up of the new coffee shop.
There are of course many challenges to running an organisation like this, from fundraising to the time and manpower necessary to keep everything running smoothly.
According to Susie, changing the public’s perception of what a person with additional needs may or may not be able to do has possibly been the greatest challenge overcome by the introduction of the new coffee shop.
But there is always room for more inclusiveness.
“We need better acceptance by the general public. We need more opportunities, we need people to open their hearts, open their doors, and invite these young adults in to be a part of a bigger and better community. We need them to be given the chances that others most definitely take for granted,” says Susie passionately.
The bigger vision for the future includes setting up more Jester clubhouses in locations around West Cork.
Closer to home, the organisation hopes to continue offering the activities – yoga, Zumba, dance, DIY classes, accessible art and music – they currently provide at the clubhouse.
“We are open to holding any type of activity that people would like to take part in,” says Susie. “We have the facilities, we have lots of instructors, coaches and individuals keen to set up and use our clubhouse, so please come and talk to us, tell us what you would like us to do and we will endeavour to make it a reality.”
Throughout it all, the support of the West Cork community has been paramount to the success of the West Cork Jesters.
Anyone is welcome to join the Jesters or just call in to the clubhouse. “The kettle is always on,” says Susie.
