A Caerphilly town café established to help volunteers with previous drug problems back into work has launched a new scheme for customers to donate a hot drink.
When customers at Cardiff Road’s Tyfu buy coffee, they can now buy an extra “shared coffee” for just £1.
Tyfu, which is a social enterprise, will then distribute vouchers for the coffee to disadvantaged groups in the local area and the donated drink can be enjoyed by someone who cannot afford it.
Claire Whitmore, manager at Tyfu Café explained: “The original idea started in Naples and has spread worldwide. It’s simple – if you buy a tea or coffee, then you pay an extra pound for what’s called a ‘suspended’ coffee.
“We changed the name as we preferred ‘shared’ coffee.”
Bridget Lafferty, co-ordinator at Tyfu, added: “We are trying to tackle social isolation as we give out the vouchers through food banks.
“For us, it is important to give people that opportunity to socialise and do what everybody else does.”
Tyfu Café, (a Welsh translation of growing), was set up by charity Drugaid Cymru.
The café is intended to help people who have experienced substance misuse in the past get back into paid employment through volunteering.
Situated opposite Caerphilly Train Station, Tyfu Café offers volunteers six-month work placements.
Since opening in April last year, the café has seen around 14 volunteers through its doors gaining valuable work experience.
Bridget added: “The whole point is to act as a route back into employment with training and building people’s confidence back up.”