A café founded to provide job opportunities and support to survivors of abuse has given a heartfelt thanks to its loyal customers, as it confirmed it had taken the “difficult decision” to close its doors at the end of this week.
In a shock announcement on social media this evening, the team behind the Parade-based Butterfly Café said that their intention now was to focus on meeting the growing demand for their core support services – though they said they were “not ruling out the possibility of opening a new space in the future”.
Led by campaigner Cheyenne O’Connor (pictured top), the not-for-profit café opened in 2023 with the help of a £155,000 Government grant.
Its goal was to provide job opportunities and workplace training to islanders who have experienced abuse, as well as access to ongoing, survivor-led services, such as peer-support group meetings, training, a helpline, a job shop and advocacy assistance.
The team also worked alongside local agencies, provided support through trauma-informed specialists, including professionals with lived experience, and signposted other key services.
Challenges
Over the years, the café provided support to more than 900 islanders – including care leavers, and those who had suffered sexual and institutional abuse – while navigating several challenges.
Last year, Ms O’Connor explained that the cost-of-living crisis was making it harder to rely on the public for donations and said that she was in talks with the Government about providing continuous support.
“The financial pressures are mainly due to the fact we run two businesses from the café. Its turnover has to cover rent, supplies, wages for the chef, café staff and support workers,” she told Express at the time.
“We need more staff than any other café as we always need at least one support worker on site at all times.”
Then earlier this year the social enterprise team was forced to appeal to the public for donations to cover its hefty St Helier al fresco fee, warning that they could struggle to keep operating if unable to open the outdoor space for customers.
It was also rocked by the theft of almost £2,000 by former employee Kelly Louise Vallois (40) – also known as Kelly Mills – who was jailed for the crime.
To continue meeting the demand of clients amid these challenges, staff were said to have been putting in “80 to 100-hour weeks since February”.
“We are deeply grateful to all of our customers”
But the team were positive as they announced their departure, noting that there were many successes to be proud of.
“Our mission is to provide critical support for those who urgently need it – support that is often difficult to find elsewhere. The Café has played a valuable role in both awareness and community engagement,” they said.
“However, with growing demand and limited resources, we believe it’s time to concentrate fully on our core services. We are deeply grateful to all of our customers and the amazing team who helped make the Café a success,” the team continued.
While the team described the decision to close at the end of the week as “difficult”, they said it was “the right one”.
“We’re not ruling out the possibility of opening a new space in the future, but for now, this change allows us to consolidate and strengthen the services that matter most,” they added.
“We will never let those that need it most down”
In the immediate term, the team – under the full name The Butterfly Effect – are hoping to secure charitable status, and are currently awaiting the outcome of their application.
Whatever the future holds, however, the team pledged: “The Butterfly Effect support service will not stop, with or without funding, we will never let those that need it most down.”
As well as expressing their sadness, scores of islanders have already responded to the announcement, sharing their gratitude to the team for their work over the years.
Among them was Reform Jersey leader and Housing Minister Sam Mézec, who commented: “You’ve done an amazing job and should be extremely proud.”
Another comment read: “What an amazing adventure! Your capacity for hard work, fun, care for our community, continues to inspire me. Wishing you best of luck and my admiration for the next steps.”
One Facebook user added: “Shame the cafe is closing but pleased the great work will continue on, changing lives daily!”
The café will be open as usual this week, with Thursday, Friday and Saturday being late openings.
“We invite our loyal customers and friends to come down to the cafe on Saturday evening for drinks and nibbles with us,” the Butterfly team said.
“We cannot express enough, our thanks for your continued support. We have had some of the best times in our little cafe, from Christmas fun with the kids, helping feed families, to our Friday night drinks crowd. We thank every single one of you.
“Thank you for your continued support.”
Follow Express for updates…