Nespresso has announced a partnership with social enterprise Change Please, which aims to end homelessness in Ireland and the UK.
The partnership will see Nespresso support the Change Please Foundation through a commitment of €1 million in its first year.
Nespresso’s commitment will be used by the enterprise to empower those who are experiencing homelessness by offering barista training and a Living Wage job.
It will also offer ‘life admin’ support, including securing housing and opening a bank account.
The fund will enable participants to access mental health supports and onward employment opportunities.
Planned Use
In Ireland, half of the initial money will pay for a long-term plan and support at least 50 trainees.
Another quarter of the donation will cover the set-up of a new Irish retail site with a cafe.
This will be located in a key city, where Change Please will deliver training to support the future employment journey of graduates.
In Ireland, Change Please operates coffee sellers in David Lloyd, WeWork, Google HQ and Compass Ireland.
The organisation also works with Irish-based charities already doing important work to support those experiencing homelessness, including Focus Ireland and Daisyhouse.
Change Please will use the remaining €250,000 to expand the business, to ensure the longevity of the programme and to improve support for trainees.
From June, shoppers will be able to purchase Nespresso for Change Please coffee blends.
Profits made from these accessories and other events will be used to support Change Please in 2025.
‘Drive Social Change’
Speaking about the collaboration, the chief executive and founder of Change Please, Cemal Ezel, 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 Ireland and the UK.
“Through this collaboration, we are joining forces to demonstrate how companies can come together to make a real change and to do good.
“We hope to inspire others on the transformative potential of corporate social responsibility.”
Anna Lundstrom, the CEO for Nespresso UK and Ireland, added, “By harnessing the positive force of coffee for over 20 years, Nespresso has re-established and uplifted farming communities around the world through our AAA programme [technical training that empowers farmers to improve the quality of their coffee and increase the yield of their harvests].
“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.”
Lundstrom concluded, “Together, we can enrich the lives of both our famers and the communities in the UK and Republic of Ireland.”
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