A ground-breaking charity organisation, The Key Café, is set to open on Gloucester Road with a mission to reduce reoffending rates by providing practical skills and work experience to individuals transitioning from prison.
Established by The Restore Trust, a leading organisation dedicated to rehabilitation and community integration, The Key Café is more than just a coffee shop - it’s a lifeline for those seeking a fresh start. Partnering with local favourites Single Variety Co. and Canton Tea, and Triple Co Roast, The Key Café will create a space where high-quality food and social purpose intersect.
One of the standout features of this initiative is a unique partnership with the award-winning jam makers, Single Variety Co. Known for their commitment to using single-variety ingredients to craft premium preserves, the company will not only supply the café but also lead hands-on jam-making workshops with prisoners. These workshops aim to equip participants with valuable culinary skills and confidence, helping them build a foundation for life beyond incarceration. Pots of ‘Jail Jar Jam’ will be available to purchase from Papadeli from November, with proceeds going back into the project and raising funds for the jam making equipment.
The Key Café’s core mission is to offer those leaving the prison system an opportunity to gain practical experience and new skills in a supportive environment. By working closely with local suppliers and providing real-world training, the café is breaking boundaries in innovative ways to reduce reoffending rates.
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Ross Elliot, Director at Single Variety Co., explained the motivation behind the collaboration:
"As a local company, we’ve always sought ways to give back to our community. The Key Café’s mission of reducing reoffending through practical training really resonated with us. We’re thrilled to help create a unique jam for the café and, more importantly, offer new skills to individuals looking to turn their lives around."
The bespoke jam created through these workshops will be exclusive to The Key Café, giving patrons the chance to enjoy a product that embodies the café’s mission of transformation and second chances. Jars of this special preserve will be available for purchase, making a thoughtful gift and supporting the initiative.
In addition to Single Variety Co., The Key Café is partnering with Canton Tea, a leading premium tea supplier based in Bristol. Canton Tea will supply their ethically sourced whole-leaf teas, which are featured in some of the world’s finest restaurants. This collaboration aligns with The Key Café’s mission by providing customers with a curated selection of high-quality teas, while reinforcing the café’s focus on community and rehabilitation.
Alice Evans, Director of Tea at Canton Tea, shared her enthusiasm:
"We were immediately drawn to The Key’s vision of creating a café that supports the rehabilitation of prison leavers. By being part of this initiative, we’re not only putting our teas in the hands of customers, but also contributing to a meaningful cause."
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