Chealsons Coffee
Chealsons Coffee has been trading at Dial Arch Square and the Farmer’s Market since June 2020 and is one of the local businesses Berkeley supports at Royal Arsenal Riverside. This was a lifesaving move during Covid, to be in a residential area rather than relying on the dwindling commerce of commuters during that period, which allowed Chealsons to enact their own inspirational work in the local community.
First and foremost, Chealsons is an independent mobile coffee shop, aiming to be a safe space for all. Co-owner Sian is passionate about her business being accessible to all types of people and says ‘We treat our customers the same, wherever in Woolwich you are from.” This desire to have an impact can be seen in their environmental commitments, recycling their own coffee grounds, using biodegradable cups and lids, and sourcing ingredients from local suppliers.
Chealsons are passionate about making an impact in the local community, and for many years have taken on young people facing challenges, to provide them with valuable work experience and training which they would otherwise not have access to. This has included care leavers and ex-prisoners in the past and is now done through a partnership introduced by Berkeley, with Shooters Hill Sixth Form College. Chealsons has taken on several SEN students as interns at different points of the year, teaching them important skills for life. Regarding this partnership, Sian said “Berkeley have helped us professionalise our social value offer, so we are lucky to have them to work alongside.”
Co-owner Cai set out the impact that this work has had on the students; “Some of these young people struggle to find opportunities to contribute locally. We treat them like our family and support in any way we can. If it wasn’t for us, they would either be at home not doing much or potentially being taken advantage of. We give them something to do, somewhere to be and a place to feel part of, all in a positive way.”
Going forwards, Chealsons is looking to grow into a more permanent space and become a CIC (Community Interest Company) to really enable the expansion of the vital work they do in supporting young people in Woolwich. Go get a taste of their coffee next time you are around Dial Arch Green in Royal Arsenal Riverside!
