London, United Kingdom – February 2, 2023 – WeWork (NYSE: WE), the leading global flexible space provider, today announced it is expanding its partnership with I Love Coffee – a social enterprise that employs and trains Deaf individuals to become baristas – to four WeWork locations in London.
Having worked with WeWork in South Africa since 2019, I Love Coffee has recruited and trained four individuals based in London, who will be stationed at WeWork 1 Waterhouse Square, WeWork 3 Waterhouse Square and WeWork Aviation House in Holborn, as well as WeWork 22 Long Acre in Covent Garden from February 6.
Having launched their first coffee shop in 2016 in South Africa, I Love Coffee is on a mission to break the barriers of communication between the Deaf and the hearing through the power of ordering drinks. From pointing to the menu and holding strong eye contact, I Love Coffee’s top tips will be accompanied by an interactive iPad in all four WeWork locations that will show WeWork members in the queue how to order their coffee through sign language.
Gary Hopkins, Founder and Managing Director, I Love Coffee – “We’re thrilled to have WeWork’s continued support as they help facilitate our first expansion outside of South Africa, and put down roots in the capital. At I Love Coffee, we look to collaborate with organizations who have a shared interest in creating a positive impact for underserved communities, and so it was a natural fit to expand our partnership to WeWork locations in London. As we continue to strive to create even more opportunities for the Deaf community through the life-changing magic of a cup of coffee, we hope to expand operations beyond just baristas to establish roasteries and recruit trainers. Watch this space!”
Mathieu Proust, COO International, WeWork – “It’s a real honor to continue to play a part in I Love Coffee’s incredible journey to help create a more accessible and independent future for the Deaf community. Having worked closely with Gary and his team in South Africa, we’re thrilled to be able to support I Love Coffee’s expansion to London, and we look forward to seeing their positive work for the Deaf community ripple across the capital.”
WeWork has an ongoing partnership with Change Please, a social enterprise founded by Cemal Ezel, that provides barista training, jobs paying the London Living Wage, and support for people experiencing homelessness. Change Please supplies both baristas and coffee beans in 22 WeWork locations across the UK and Ireland, and is helping facilitate I Love Coffee’s initial expansion by providing coffee beans and training rooms.
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About WeWork
WeWork (NYSE: WE) was founded in 2010 with the vision to create environments where people and companies come together and do their best work. Since then, we’ve become one of the leading global flexible space providers committed to delivering technology-driven turnkey solutions, flexible spaces, and community experiences. For more information about WeWork, please visit us at wework.com.
About I Love Coffee
I Love Coffee was founded in 2016 with a mission to empower Deaf youth with the confidence to take their rightful place in society. Since then, we’ve become the only artisan coffee brand that is roasted, blended, packed, brewed, and served by members of the Deaf community. We also deliver hospitality training by the Deaf in sign language to create pathways to employment. For more information about I Love Coffee, please visit us at www.ilovecoffeegroup.co.za.
