Liverpool coffee company wins award for opening doors to young people

A Liverpool coffee company has scooped a prestigious award for making its barista academy open to everyone, helping young people build skills and confidence for the future.

A Liverpool coffee company – Parliament Square Coffee, run by husband and wife team Chris and Hayley, has been presented with the Futures Inspirers Award by Witherslack Group, the UK’s leading education provider for children and young people with special educational needs.

The award recognises businesses that go the extra mile to create opportunities for young people with additional needs, encouraging workplaces where neurodiversity is not just accepted but celebrated.

Chris and Hayley opened Parliament Square Coffee on Crump Street in the Baltic Triangle in June 2023, serving up speciality coffee alongside a fresh seasonal brunch menu. Since then they’ve expanded with a second site on Clarence Street in the Georgian Quarter, where they also launched their own PSC Academy.

The academy offers specialist barista training for 15 to 18 year olds, with a one-day Level 1 course and a more intensive three-day Level 2 course accredited by the Speciality Coffee Association. The aim is to give young people first-class barista skills that help them land jobs in an industry always looking for properly trained staff.

Chris, a former chef who has volunteered with Witherslack Group and given talks in schools across the country, wanted to make sure the academy was truly inclusive. He and the PSC team worked with The ADHD Foundation so they could adapt training for students with SEN or neurodiverse conditions.

Chris said:
“Too often these challenges are seen as barriers, but they can actually be the strengths that make someone perfect for the role. One of my best baristas had high-functioning autism — he was brilliant at his job and loved what he did.

Every job or course should be open to everyone and we should adjust how we teach or train to make that happen.”

He added:
“It’s exciting to do something different and offer this training to people who might not get these chances otherwise. It’s lovely to get an award but for us the most important thing is making a difference and giving people real opportunities.”

Alison Gibney, Head of Witherslack Group Futures, said:
“It’s a pleasure to recognise Chris and Hayley for their amazing support of our Futures programme. They’ve championed neurodiversity in the workplace and shown young people what’s possible. Their commitment has opened doors and inspired our pupils to believe in their own potential.”

Parliament Square Coffee has already supported more than 400 pupils across 16 schools through Futures Ambassador Sessions and Work Inspirational Visits, giving young people a chance to see the coffee industry up close and hear directly from employers about the opportunities out there.

Check out their website for more information.

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