Homeless Guy Has Been Given ‘Faith In Future’ After Being Hired To Make Coffee
John V.
Posted On March 8, 2020
Undoubtedly, homelessness is big problem in the UK. Even there is support out there in the form of food banks or shelters, often those living on the streets need a more substantial opportunity in order to really change their situation.
Site Homeless.org.uk estimates there were 4,266 people being homeless in the UK.
But, there’s an organisation (Change Please) who’s offering the chance for those experiencing homelessness to significantly change their lives.
The coffee company hires people who have experienced, or are still experiencing, homelessness to work in its pop-up stalls across London and its other locations and trains them to become baristas – those who specialise in making and serving coffee. It pays the Living Wage, which in London is £10.75 per hour.
Goal is that employees are able to re-integrate into a society in which they are largely overlooked by learning how to interact with and serve customers, and how to be part of a business.
Liam, a 28-year-old who has dealt with living on the streets and sofa surfing, has seen firsthand how Change Please can turn lives around. He credits the organisation with improving his mental health and giving him a sense of purpose, as well as allowing him to engage with people and earn a living with which he can pay rent and buy himself good, healthy food.
Liam spent two years living in a supported accommodation hostel. He has been without work for more then eight years, before being hired by Change Please.
“I had lots of different skills, I was running a social media account, doing admin, project management, running festivals, so many different varied skills that are transferrable and can be taken into any work place.
I understand that it’s a tough economic environment, but when you have applied for hundreds of jobs and don’t get anywhere it breaks you down quite a bit. You feel a bit useless and like you’re not worthy of being in society because you’re not working or paying taxes.
All I had been asking for was a chance. I am me, I am young, I have bags of energy and bags of potential and I just needed that foot in the door to show what I can do to adapt, to learn and develop myself. It’s heartbreaking when you don’t get any response.”, Liam told to Unilad.
