HAPPY OUT & TOGETHER ACADEMY – A Story of inclusion
Happy Out Café and Together Academy are once again joining forces, this time at the new Docklands Municipa Watersports Centre in Dublin’s Docklands. Our offering will be like nothing seen in the Docklands before — an inclusive café located within an innovative water sports centre created for the whole community. Inclusive employment is the future of local communities and the recipe for building a truly inclusive Ireland.
Delicious, sustainable, social, inclusive and community driven.
The café will be a cool, urban and sustainable space delivered by the highly successful team at Happy Out Café, and proudly staffed by Together Academy students who happen to have Down syndrome. Here, young adults are relishing the opportunity to work, welcoming visitors from across the city who come to kayak, swim, row or simply enjoy the unique riverside setting. Working at the HQ2O café gives them the chance to gain valuable work experience, build confidence and play an active role in the life of Dublin’s Docklands community.
Together Academy staff will be fully trained and will have wrap-around supports in place to ensure success. Happy Out x Together Academy represents a positive model for a more inclusive and sustainable economy. Together we are creating an inclusive employment model that paves the way for sustainable and meaningful jobs within a growing community, providing opportunities for people with Down syndrome to work and thrive within their own neighbourhood.
At Happy Out x Together Academy, an atmosphere of fun, empathy and genuine inclusion
accompanies the great food, coffee and warm service synonymous with both Happy Out
and Together Café.
This much-loved Docklands site will now have a café as unique as the view and the water
sports offering — a place where community, opportunity and inclusion come together.
HOW IT BEGAN
The collaboration between Happy Out Café and Together Academy began when Brian Hanratty of Happy Out was inspired by Together Academy’s vision of inclusion and employment for young adults with Down syndrome. Together Café opened in 2022 to rave reviews and has since become a powerful example of what inclusive employment can look like.
READY TO VISIT?
We are waiting for you – whether you are visiting for water sports or just want to relax with great food, coffee and the best view in Dublin you are welcome to visit our new location.
