Brewing change in Glasgow

A collaboration between The Salvation Army and award-winning social enterprise Change Please is helping people take steps towards employment – one cup of coffee at a time.

As part of Employability Week (June 16-20) a group of trainees, who have experienced homelessness or are at risk of homelessness, will complete an intensive barista training programme at The Salvation Army's community church in Anderston, Glasgow.  

The four-day event is a partnership between Change Please and The Salvation Army’s Employment Plus service, supporting people into work across the country. 

For the first three days participants will learn how to make a range of coffees, including flat whites, lattes and cappuccinos, as well as allergen awareness, latte art, and health and safety. On Thursday 19 June, trainees put their new skills to the test by running a live coffee bar experience, gaining confidence and real-world insight. The week finishes with a work experience day when trainees serve free coffee to the public who can find out for themselves how the training is changing lives.

Joanne Murray-Zmijewski, who leads Employment Plus in Glasgow, said: “This is more than just a coffee morning. Through Employment Plus and partners such as Change Please, we are building people’s confidence, sharing practical skills and supporting steps towards independence.”

The initiative is part of the Change Please Impact Training Programme, which boasts a 70 per cent success rate of trainees moving into employment or education. It supports people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness with barista training, a living-wage job, housing support, therapy, access to financial services, and long-term employment pathways.

Kirsty Reid, Regional Programme Manager for Change Please, said: “Working alongside The Salvation Army is such an exciting collaboration, given the similarities in our missions, supporting individuals out of homelessness and having a positive impact on their future.  

“Having our trainees host a free coffee morning on site is a great opportunity for other organisations we work with and the public to experience the excellent work and support on offer from both of our organisations.”

Members of the public are welcome to attend, grab a coffee and show support for the trainees. The free coffee is available from 11am-2pm on Thursday (19 June) at The Salvation Army Community Church, 1 Houldsworth Street, Glasgow, G3 8ED.