Nespresso has partnered with the social enterprise Change Please, pledging a substantial £1 million to aid homelessness relief efforts.
Change Please reported in its latest analysis a concerning 50 percent surge in homelessness from March 2022 to March 2023 and noted 1,313 deaths linked to homelessness in 2021.
The £1 million from Nespresso will contribute towards providing those affected by homelessness with barista training, employment at a living wage, assistance with essential life administration such as housing and banking, mental health support, and further job opportunities.
Out of the total donation, £500,000 is allocated to establish a sustainable program and support at least 50 trainees in The Republic of Ireland. This initiative marks the commencement of Change Please’s operations in Ireland, including hiring a Regional Programme Manager and creating a coffee training scheme that extends the existing UK business model.
An additional £250,000 will fund the establishment of a new retail site or café in a principal city where Change Please operates, enhancing the career progression of trainees and graduates.
The remaining £250,000 is designated for the expansion and enhancement of the Change Please enterprise to ensure its sustainability and augment support for trainees.
“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,” stated Cemal Ezel, CEO and Founder of Change Please.
“Through this collaboration, we are joining forces to demonstrate how companies can come together to make real change and to do good. We hope to inspire others on the transformative potential of corporate social responsibility,” Ezel added.
From June 2024, Nespresso for Change Please coffee blends will be available for purchase across the Original, Vertuo, and B2B systems. Moreover, Nespresso has announced that proceeds from a new line of accessories and nationwide events will further support the Change Please cause.
“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,” said Anna Lundstrom, CEO of Nespresso UKI.
“Together we can enrich the lives of both our farmers and the communities in the UK and Republic of Ireland,” Lundstrom concluded.