Zac Goldsmith launches cafe serving up fresh opportunities to young Londoners

Zac Goldsmith launches cafe serving up fresh opportunities to young Londoners

South Londoners got an added extra with their morning latte today (Tuesday 5 April) when 2016 London mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith officially launched Camberwell-based Brewbird café. The social enterprise from St Giles Trust offers training opportunities and work placements to our clients.

Zac made a cappuccino guided by the young St Giles Trust clients training as baristas at Brewbird. Coming from particularly disadvantaged backgrounds, St Giles Trust’s young clients already face a number of barriers to gaining employment, which often results in social exclusion. Learning transferable skills such as customer service by completing a placement in our café means they are far better prepared to secure future paid work.

Brewbird recognises that employment is one of the most significant factors in preventing young people engaging with crime and radically reduces the likeliness of re-offending. As clients of St Giles Trust, trainees also have access to additional support from our Peer Advisors who are ex-offenders or former service users qualified as professional mentors.

Zac Goldsmith said:

“I am delighted to be part of the opening of the St Giles Trust launch of social enterprise Brewbird. This is an inspirational coffee chain that gives young people a real chance to change and where coffee has a greater meaning than just a drink.”

Rob Owen OBE, Chief Executive of St Giles Trust said:

“Brewbird is a great addition to the employment support St Giles Trust offers young clients, giving them a much improved chance in today’s difficult and competitive job market. We’re delighted to have Zac launch the café as it highlights the importance of creating real opportunities for disadvantaged young people in London.”

Established in 2014, Brewbird is a coffee social enterprise supported by St Giles Trust . As well as great coffee and cake, our main focus is to give disadvantaged young people and ex-offenders a second chance and put their past behind them. Over 60% of people coming out of prison re-offend within their first year of release. We believe that by giving these people the opportunity to get straight into a working environment, we can drastically cut this number. Our employees receive training in barista and baking skills, as well as customer service and management, all in a judgement-free environment that allows them to shine.

Website: www.brewbirdcoffee.co.uk

Twitter: @BrewbirdCo

 

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