A coffee business based in Newcastle City Library has joined forces with the council to provide a warm space to people who need it most.
Little Coffee Bean is offering free tea and coffee as part of the National Warm Space scheme. The Company Director of Little Bean Coffee, Dan Kane has spoken about what the company already does to help the homeless and how they got involved with the National Warm Space Scheme.
"Little Coffee Bean has always offered a pay it forward scheme which allows customers to pay for a drink for others in need. This then funds free drinks to those around the city who need them the most. During extremely cold snaps the team go out with their little yellow Tuk Tuk coffee van to find those on the streets who are homeless and in need of a hot drink."
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"When I was talking to a customer about this they asked if we were part of the Warm Spaces scheme. I had heard about it slightly through the news but looking more into it I realised it was very similar to what we already did. It was then simple to take the steps to formalise our participation in the scheme."
"As a company we are now going further as we believe it is our social responsibility to support the communities we work in. We are currently working with our other partners to roll out Warm Spaces in our other outlets around the north east", he said.
The business will continue with their pay it forward scheme and the funds raised will be put into the ongoing work done by Newcastle City Library.
Councillor Lesley Storey, Newcastle City Council cabinet member for a Vibrant City, has also given her thoughts on this act of kindness.
"The City Library is one of a number of locations registered as a Winter Wellbeing Hub, providing a safe and warm space for people to attend this winter."
"This extended offer of a free hot drink for those who need it at the City Library is an incredibly generous gesture from Little Coffee Bean and their own Warm Spaces scheme, and is symbolic of the way business and organisations throughout the city are rallying round to support our communities during these difficult times. I’d like to thank them for doing their bit to support our residents", she said.
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