There is no shortage of cafés and coffee shops in Carlisle city centre. Costa has four branches within a few hundred yards. There are many other national and independent options.

Doves Café has much to commend it, from the quality of the food to the friendliness of the staff.

Doves is run by Carlisle Mencap. It is in the Church Of Scotland St Andrew’s Centre on Chapel Street, off Lowther Street.

Doves had been run by the Church Of Scotland until 2016. Mencap reopened it last summer, keeping the Doves name.

The café is staffed partly by volunteers with learning disabilities. The idea is to give them the opportunity to do voluntary work in the community. Longer term, that could lead to them gaining employment.

Sheila Gregory, Carlisle Mencap’s chief executive officer, says it can be difficult for people with learning disabilities to get any kind of work. Only about six per cent are employed.

“There’s a lack of opportunities,” says Sheila. “A lack of people having the understanding that these people can do good things.

“There is not an employer attitude of ‘These people are an asset’.”

At Doves there are usually two or three Mencap service users working at any one time, supported by staff members.

Sheila says: “They serve, work in the kitchen and help with washing up. They’re getting really good at serving. They like it when they get a tip!”

She believes one reason regular customers come to Doves is to support people with learning disabilities.

“The customers are always delighted to see the service users. They enjoy the food and the company. They say it’s very friendly, very cheerful, and comfortable.”

Doves is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10am-3pm. There are plans to also open on Fridays and to start a takeaway coffee service.

“Opening on Fridays depends on getting a few more customers to start coming in,” says Sheila.

“People probably aren’t aware that we’re there, tucked away down the lane. We’d like people to pop in and sample the food. Our stuff is homemade. That’s the difference with the national coffee shops.

“The menu includes gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan options. There are quiches, soup, omelettes, paninis, salads, baked potatoes, cakes, scones, toasted teacakes. We do lunch, afternoon tea and takeaway. We’re hoping to get offices and shops to have regular orders.

“And we’ve just started doing buffets. We’ve done one for Cartmell Shepherd, which was a great success.

“We’re seeing if we can get any grants or donations for a coffee-making machine so we can do takeaway coffees.”

Carlisle Mencap is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The charity was launched in 1968 by a group of parents who wanted to make life easier for their children with learning disabilities.

It is now one of the biggest Mencap charities in the country.

A year of celebrations, campaigning and fundraising events is taking place. Last week Doves hosted a fundraising tea party.

Carlisle Mencap is seeking volunteers. If you can help, call 01228 674393.