By Eleanor Wilson
Working the hospitality industry for several decades, George Psomadelis has been crafting the perfect coffee his whole life.
Now, he is throwing his all behind a new social enterprise cafe in Narre Warren.
80VC Cafe was opened to the public late last month as a branch of Palliative Care South East (PCSE) , which is due to officially open its multi-million dollar facility in Victor Crescent next month.
All the proceeds from 80VC cafe go straight back into services at PCSE, chief executive Adjunct Associate Professor Kelly Rogerson explained.
“Every dollar we make goes back into services and providing end of life care…that’s our real goal to help building running and programs.
George said business is slowly building, encouraging local office workers and community workers to stop by to pick up a coffee, or grab a muffin, wrap or banana bread.
“We’re hoping the community will support us, because whatever profit the cafe makes goes back into the community, so you aren’t supporting a business, you’re supporting the community… that’s what its all about,” he said.
PCSE has been running for 40 years, providing end of life care through health and wellbeing services, to allow individuals with a life-limiting illness the best quality of life possible.
The new centre features a community facing area, with counselling rooms, music and art therapy and capabilities for palliative care training.
“The staff are really committed to providing exceptional care to people,” Ms Rogerson said.
“Palliative care is not just about death and dying, its about keeping people well and giving them a great quality of life while they’re still with us.”
Ms Rogerson said the Narre Warren location gives PCSE staff a great home base from which to conduct community care.
“It’s really central to our catchment area and our population growth, we service an 1800 sqm area from Dingley all the way past Kooweerup.“
80VC Cafe is located at 80 Victor Crescent, Narre Warren.
