Date issued: 5 August 2019
Veterans in Colchester and Tendring will be given the chance to retrain to work as a Barista through the Combat2Coffee CIC initiative, supported by Colchester Borough Council and £3000 funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund.
Combat2Coffee, started by veteran Nigel Seaman, offers training and support to armed forces veterans in custody and within the community using a mobile coffee platform, used for training and catering to the public.
The mobile Combat2Coffee platform will be at several locations across Colchester and Tendring through August and September:
- Thursday 22 August: Community Tent in Clacton town centre (part of Clacton Air Show)
- Saturday 31 August: Culver Square
- Sunday 8 September: Marlborough Place Estate Fun Day
- Saturday 21 September: St Botolph’s Priory Fun Day
Veterans and armed forces families visiting the Coffee2Combat platform will be offered a free tea or coffee and a friendly chat with Nigel and his team, who will be able to offer support (if needed), utilising the network of support organisations, alongside the Combat2Coffee training platform.
Nigel Seaman, founder of Combat2Coffee, said: “I am delighted with this generous grant awarded to Combat2Coffee by Colchester Borough Council. It shows the initiative has the potential to be a supporting influence for Armed Forces veterans in the Colchester and Tendring areas.”
Following these events, six veterans will be offered the chance to complete a National Level 2 Barista qualification with Combat2Coffee during November 2019. The training will provide participants with a new skill, a recognised qualification and the opportunity to setup their own similar business.
Councillor Michael Lilley, Colchester Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Communities, Wellbeing and Public Safety, said: “Combat2Coffee is a fantastic initiative that is dedicated to supporting and retaining armed forces veterans who are looking for a career change. Helping to identify how they can use their existing skillset in the beverage industry is one way of achieving that. I’m really pleased that the council is able to support the scheme and give people the chance to gain a nationally-recognised qualification.”
For more information about the summer events and Combat2Coffee, visit colchester.gov.uk/armedforces and click on ‘Events’.
Page last reviewed: 5 August 2019