The Costa Foundation, Costa Coffee’s global charity partner, is investing £50,000 to support young people facing barriers to employment.
Two schools in Hampshire and Kent for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will be the first UK recipients of the funding.
The investment comes at a time when in England only 5.1% of adults with a learning disability known to their local authority are in paid employment, and 13.1% of 16 to 24-year-olds are not in education, employment or training, according to the Department for Education.
At Treloars School & College in Hampshire, the ‘Planting Possibilities’ project will give disabled children and young people aged four to 25 the chance to develop practical business skills, confidence and independence through gardening and growing projects.
At Five Acre Wood School in Kent, the ‘Made FAW You’ project will transform an existing teaching kitchen into a commercial-standard training space, where pupils aged 11 to 19 can experience cooking, producing and selling food in a supported environment.
“Funding our first-ever UK projects is an exciting step for the Costa Foundation and we’re proud to be supporting two schools doing life-changing work for young people with special educational needs and disabilities,” said Costa Foundation executive director Kate O’Brien.
“The Costa Foundation exists because we believe education unlocks brighter futures and are looking forward to seeing the impact of these projects on children and young people in the UK.”
The Costa Foundation was established in 2007 with the aim of improving the life chances of children in coffee-growing communities by helping them access a safe, quality education. So far, the charity has funded over 100 school projects and supported more than 120,000 children.
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