Mothers Meg Hodgkinson and Emma Draper open ‘Relax Cafe’ in Wonthaggi

Looking for a new place in the Bass Coast for a feed and the perfect coffee? This Wonthaggi cafe is just a week old but already a favourite.

It’s the latest addition to the Wonthaggi foodie scene and it’s already got the town talking.

Meg Hodgkinson and Emma Draper — who met at a dance group and have known each other for seven years — opened the doors to “Relax Cafe” on Korumburra-Wonthaggi Rd in Wonthaggi on November 14.

Ms Hodgkinson’s son Dylan, 25, and Ms Draper’s son Ethan, 21, who both have special needs, are the inspiration behind the cafe and are proving a hit with their passion for making coffee.

“The work that is offered to them is not much in our communities so we wanted to open something and give others the opportunity to show the community that people with special needs can work,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

Left to fight: Emma Draper, her son Ethan, Meg Hodgkinson and her son Dylan stand proudly in front of their new cafe. Picture: Supplied

Friends Meg and Emma want to show the community their young men are capable of working and have skills. Picture: Jack Colantuono

“Both of our sons have had experience in cafes and they really enjoyed it.”

Ms Draper said a lot of people were finding it hard to find work and it was even harder for those in the disability sector to get a foot in the door.

“Coming up with our young men we have been trying to get them in to get a start to show what they can do,’’ Ms Draper said.

“Our guys absolutely have the capacity to work, they have the want to work so that’s why they’re here.”

Ms Hodgkinson said the boys didn’t need someone over their shoulder all the time.

“It’s giving everybody confidence — it’s about showing that within the community and for the guys,” she said.

Ms Hodgkinson says the idea to open up a cafe has “been in the pipeworks for a long time”. Picture: Jack Colantuono

“We just want to show that our young men are capable of working, they do have the skills, they can interact and they can learn the same as everybody else,” Ms Draper said.

“Once they know, they’re really meticulous — once they learn that skill, they do that skill and they do it consistently.”

Relax Cafe has outdoor seating for customers. Picture: Jack Colantuono

“It’s just finding out what they love and providing that opportunity and that’s what this is about for us.”

Relax Cafe is open Thursday to Monday from 10am to 2pm with plans to extend.