The power of partnerships: Well Grounded's journey with Danone

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danone-renew
People & Communities

By Sonja Wittenberg, Chief Commercial Officer, Well Grounded

When we launched Well Grounded in 2016, we started with a simple but ambitious idea: to help people who are unemployed or underrepresented in the workforce find fulfilling, long term careers in the specialty coffee industry. While our vision has grown over the years, our belief in the power of opportunity, confidence and community has always stayed the same.

Partnerships play a huge role in helping that vision become reality. Our ongoing collaboration with Danone UK & Ireland is a great example of what can happen when businesses invest in people and their potential.

The power of partnerships: Well Groundeds journey with Danone

From potential to possibilities

In 2021, we began our partnership with Danone through its plant-based brand Alpro, funding a cohort of trainees through our speciality coffee training academy. Our academies offer free, accredited training for people who are out of work or need support accessing a job in the coffee industry, and the contribution from businesses like Alpro is absolutely instrumental in making them happen.

The programmes are about so much more than learning how to make great coffee. They’re about building confidence, developing employability skills, receiving mentorship and opening doors into an industry that many people don’t initially see as being open to them.

Since we began our partnership, Alpro has sponsored five cohorts and supported more than 59 individuals eager to make their way into the industry.

What’s great about our programme is that we work with people from all walks of life – from young people through to those in their mid 60s. Everyone has their own story and journey that has led them to us. Coming from a range of diverse backgrounds, many of our trainees have never worked before, or have been out of employment for over a year, so the programmes offer such an important opportunity to access the workforce.

What the programme delivers

The outcomes speak volumes. Across our Alpro sponsored cohorts:

75% of graduates moved into positive outcomes, including employment, further training or education

80% sustained work for six months or more

92% reported greater confidence and feeling better equipped to find work

100% achieved industry recognised accreditation

Many of our graduates have gone on to work with respected employers across the coffee and hospitality sector – from independent coffee shops through to specialty cafes and bakeries, as well as contact catering - and some have even gone on to open their own coffee and bakery businesses!

But the impact isn’t just about the numbers. We see it in the personal journeys: people who arrive quiet or unsure, and leave with belief in themselves, a renewed sense of purpose, and a clear next step. As one Graduate, Michelle, shared:

“If I could describe Well Grounded in a nutshell, I’d say life changing. It has given me so much confidence and helped with my anxiety, learning new skills and meeting brilliant people. It’s also opened up my eyes to the wide range of career options available in the coffee industry.”

A woman with brown hair stands with a microphone with Alpro branded balloons behind her

The role partners play

While funding and sponsorship are essential, what makes this partnership truly special is how hands on it is. Alongside financial support, Alpro colleagues get directly involved - delivering bespoke training sessions on making coffees with plant-based drinks, supporting with interview practice and sharing insight into real workplace expectations.

Alpro not only provides us with crucial funding to continue our work but also serves as a very special platform for our Graduates to start their journey in the coffee industry. Many of our Graduates are given the opportunity to showcase their talents at prominent industry events, representing both Alpro and Well Grounded at London Coffee Festival and other key festivals across the country

We’ve also loved being able to host some of our graduation ceremonies at Danone’s Chiswick Offices – it’s always a wonderful way to get together and reflect on the success of the cohorts. Our Graduates also like to get creative to showcase just how much the programme means to them – we've had poems, songs and bespoke videos, and they’re always really powerful.

For many participants, working alongside a well-known brand is a moment of pride, and a powerful reminder that large businesses can - and should - play an active role in creating inclusive career pathways.

Looking ahead

As Well Grounded enters its next chapter, with an ambition to support 10,000 people over the next decade, partnerships like this will be more important than ever.

When businesses invest in people - not just products - the ripple effects are profound. Individuals gain skills and confidence, employers access diverse and motivated talent, and communities grow stronger.

We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved so far with Danone and Alpro, and even more excited about what lies ahead - for our graduates, partners, and the wider coffee industry.