Stop and Smell the Coffee... Cardiff is paying it forward and spreading joy, one latte at a time. No matter what you are going through, be it exam stress, money woes or family trouble - a hot drink on a cold winter’s afternoon offers a spark of joy amongst the dreary fog. It is the small things that make someone’s day, a ray of hope when the road ahead seems long and the destination out of sight. Cardiff’s pay-it-forward champions offer just that – from a cup of joe to a plate of warm food, local businesses are showing us just how important kindness can be, and how many people depend on it.
Brodie’s Coffee/Bricks ‘n’ Mortar - Hot Drinks for the Homeless. Gorsedd Gardens. North Road I spoke to owner Ian Brodie about what made them decide to take up a pay-it-forward scheme, how it helps people in our community and why other businesses should take part. From the beginning in their iconic little cabin in Gorsedd Gardens, Brodie’s would make sure their less fortunate customers didn’t go without a hot drink on bitterly cold days – but the demand was high for a small independent business to keep up with. So, one post-it note on the board at a time, drinks pledged by other customers was a great way to solve this problem. It was met with an amazing response and meant they could ‘offer more on a daily basis and really build relationships with the homeless of Cardiff’, and as a team, they’ve ‘gotten to know so many people who have turned their lives around’. Proving the significance of a little cup of the kindness of strangers. They noted that the scheme can be a ‘poisoned chalice’ as some people may take advantage of others’ generosity – but ‘for every one person behaving poorly, there are nine that just really need something to lift them on a cold day’. So this shouldn’t deter other businesses from doing the same thing, as it is so worth it to look after those nine.
More than 1 in 5 people live in poverty in Wales. Here are some organisations you can get involved with or donate to, in Cardiff. Food Cardiff Your Local Pantry Cardiff Cardiff Foodbank Al-Ikhlas Foodbank FareShare Cymru
There you have it, whether you pledge a drink for each one that you buy or donate your free coffee from your loyalty card – each one will bring joy to someone who needs it most.
