Mental illness affects more than half the population at any one time and when I was 23 my father committed suicide following a 13 year court case around my sister getting brain damage at the age of 6 from having her appendix out. We all have battles and stories in life but it's what we do with those battles and stories that makes a difference. The not for profit Social Traders Certified LÁrte (pronounced lar-tay) Central Social Enterprise Cafe, Catering and Florist exists to give training, employment and participation opportunities to people in our community who have mental health challenges and other disabilities. Opportunities are offered in our commercial Kitchen, Cafe, and our Florist. We have an amazing kids educational space where kids can learn and have fun whilst Mums and Dads can chill out with sensational coffee and food. LÁrte follows on from the groundwork that the MadCap Cafe Social Enterprise laid from 2007-2015. MadCap won many awards for the great work that was done around helping hundreds of people who suffer from severe mental illness get their lives back on track. A great partnership was formed with Masters Home Improvement stores which resulted in 10 cafes built in their stores over 3 states.Whilst Masters closed meaning MadCap closed the need to help people is even greater today especially in this current climate. My passion and enthusiasm to help those who are our communities most disadvantaged has never been greater and when one door closes another one opens. Check out www.lartecentral.org.au