A BROMSGROVE café has partnered with a care leaver charity to provide people with a free drink every day.

St Basils Bistro at The Pod has partnered with the Rees Foundation so care leavers (those who have spent time in the care system) over the age of 16 with a free drink every time they visit.

St Basils works with young people aged 16 to 25 across the Midlands who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, helping them to find and keep a home, develop their skills and prevent the chance of homelessness in the future.

The Rees Foundation has partnered with a number of community cafes across the country, as part of their mission to support care leavers.

Alice Davey, co-ordinator of Rees’ café project said: “We support hundreds of care leavers on a daily basis, by offering emotional support, helping them find work and by offering financial assistance in crisis situations.

“The team members at each café are trained on the issues that impact care experienced people and undertake mental health first aid training, as provided by Rees. We’ve also implemented a ‘Rees Champion’ to each café who will be available to give further help on projects we offer.”

The organisations are celebrating the collaboration with a launch event, which is taking place on Wednesday, July 26 from 11am to 1pm. 

Care leavers can sign up for a Guest Card which allows them to have a free drink every time they visit the café.

The Bistro on Humphrey Avenue offers food, drinks, Wi-Fi and computers and hosts community events.

All cash raised through the Bistro helps fund the charity’s work and also gives young people the chance to gain work experience in the hospitality industry.