Nespresso UK commits £1 million to support homelessness relief
Nespresso UK has committed £1 million to support homelessness relief through its partnership with social enterprise, Change Please.
The move will see the company help Change Please Foundation in its mission to eradicate homelessness and change lives through the power of coffee.
Nespresso’s funding will be used to empower people experiencing homelessness by offering them barista training and a living wage job. They will also be offered life admin support, including help in securing housing and opening a bank account, as well as mental health support and onward employment opportunities.
Half of the initial money will pay for a long-term plan and support at least 50 trainees in The Republic of Ireland to build on the successful business model in the UK. A further £250,000 will cover the set up a new retail site and café in a key city to support the onward employment journey of trainees and graduates. The rest of the money will be used to expand and upgrade the Change Please business.
Anna Lundstrom, chief executive of Nespresso UKI, said: “By harnessing the positive force of coffee for over twenty years, Nespresso has reestablished and uplifted farming communities around the world through our AAA programme.
“Today, we are proud to extend this ethos through our partnership with Change Please, supporting its education and employment-first model to empower individuals experiencing homelessness through the transformative potential of a simple cup of coffee. Together we can enrich the lives of both our farmers and the communities in the UK and Republic of Ireland.”
From June 2024, Nespresso customers will be able to purchase Nespresso for Change Please coffee blends across the brand’s Original, Vertuo and B2B systems. They will also be able to learn more about the partnership and the issue of homelessness at a week-long event held at the Outernet in London. Further profits made from a new collection of accessories and nationwide events will also support Change Please’s mission.
Cemal Ezel, chief executive and founder of Change Please, said: “We are extremely proud to launch this incredible partnership with Nespresso. We have seen the amazing work Nespresso does in coffee growing regions. This partnership goes beyond simply selling great coffee, it’s about using the power of business to drive social change and improve the lives of those most in need in the UK and Ireland.”
