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| Photo by Sacha Fernandez |
Social enterprise is emerging as the new business model of choice
for many cafés and eateries popping up in the UK. These enterprises centre
around helping others, using their profits to tackle social or environmental
issues, like helping homeless people into work or supporting people with
disabilities in gaining catering qualifications.
I tracked down three of
the best socially conscientious cafes in the UK for an in-depth look at their
amazing work, and tasty treats!
The Brigade
Set up in a large 19th
century fire station in the London Bridge area, The Brigade was established to help the homeless,
vulnerable or disadvantaged, to develop skills and find work. A collaboration
between a number of companies and organisations, the profits go towards
supporting and training provided by Beyond Food Foundation’s Freshlife training
scheme.
The Hive café
Established in 2011, The Hive café on Hill Holt Wood, Lincolnshire
offers an alternative education for children excluded from school, training for
the unemployed, courses on countryside management, country and rural crafts and
leadership skills. The café is based on 14 hectares of sustainably managed
ancient woodland on the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire border. Apart from the
excellent tea, it is a wonderful and enriching place to visit with facilities
ranging from permaculture gardens, environmental sculpture, woodland walks and
computer facilities and workshops.
Unity Kitchen
Established in 2009 Unity
Kitchen has a strong social
and environmental purpose. The organisation operates eight cafes across London.
The organisation spends every pound of profit to directly support people
with disabilities to get opportunities, build a career and plan for a great
future by providing apprenticeships in its cafes. People with learning
disabilities are the furthest away from the employment market with only 7% in
employment - a statistic that shows the importance of the work Unity Kitchen
does.
Around the UK we can now see a budding collection of places to eat and drink where profits benefit those most in need. From helping ex-addicts, prisoners, troubled young people, those with learning difficulties or anyone who is struggling to find work; these places give you good food and put the money you pay to good use. Happy eating!
By Martin Kitara, Poached Creative volunteer writer
