Volunteers are being sought to help run a charity café in Exeter that is the first of its kind in the country.
Café 55 is run in the city by deafblind volunteers - and is regarded as a pioneering project incorporating people with disabilities into the community.
It was opened in 2010 by charity Sense on Northernhay Street to provide work experience for people with a combination of sight and hearing loss.
The café has proved such a success in Exeter that the charity recently decided to extend its opening times from three to six days per-week.
Jane Tucker, of Sense and the café's general manager, said: "We always need volunteers. Currently there are various days of the week when we're understaffed and we need people to fill the gaps."
The charity is striving to raise the profile of its café both to promote its work in helping deafblind people as well as to increase business.
Ms Tucker said: "In theory we are a new business for the Thursday, Friday and Saturday market.We would definitely like to increase the number of people coming in on those days.
"But unless you're right in the middle of the High Street it takes a little while to establish yourself in Exeter."
Café 55 has its name because of the year the charity was founded - 1955 - and due to its title being easy for people to sign.
A fundraising event is planned for April when the building will be opened-up for 1955 day including food, music as well as arts and craft.
Ms Tucker said: "It's all about advertising who we are and what we do. We're hoping people will come along so we can say 'Hi' to them."
Sign language interpreters help the volunteers communicate with customers and assist the small team of paid staff.
Working in the café is intended to equip young deafblind people with vital skills and knowledge of the catering industry.
Award-winning Devon chef Ben Bulger helped to celebrate the new six day opening in November by giving a live cooking demonstration of his own Café 55 dish featured on the menu.
Lord Clifford of Chudleigh, who is partially sighted and Sense's local patron, also attended the opening and cut the red ribbon.
Mr Bulger, who is head chef of The Magdalen Chapter Hotel and Restaurant, said: "Not only does this local treat serve lovely food and drinks, it gives young deafblind and disabled adults a wonderful sense of purpose and great understanding of food which is a hugely positive move."
The café is located Providence Court - the charity's regional base facilitating its specialist one-to-one support for individuals deafblind from birth.
It aims are underpinned by Sense's vision of a world in which all deafblind children and adults can be full and active members of society.
The café is open on Mondays to Saturdays from 10am to 4pm when it serves a variety of drinks and snacks including a salad bar.
It is fully wheelchair accessible and has two disabled toilets, as well as a children's area, high chairs, free wi-fi, a reader and a plasma screen to enjoy.
For more information or to volunteer, contact Jane Tucker on 01392 433877 or email Jane.Tucker@sense.org.uk
