For Women’s Heritage Month this March, we have been celebrating women who are redefining leadership and stepping up in new ways. Here, we meet a few of our Starbucks EMEA partners.

core/paragraph

core/image

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself, your career, your role in the business and how long you've been a Starbucks partner?

A: I’m married and mother to two beautiful kids, Angela &amp; Karim.&nbsp;Born in 1987 and raised in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia, I graduated in 2009 with a bachelor’s in interior design from New York Institute of Technology.&nbsp;After I graduated, I worked as a designer for several years before changing careers and working as a business developer, before moving into sales and marketing for corporate interior projects, and then into district management. I’ve been a Starbucks partner for the past year and am passionate about women in leadership roles. As well as aspiring to be successful in my own career, I also aim to encourage, inspire, and chart the path for more women to achieve success, and increase diversity in the workplace.

Q: Why is International Women’s Day/ Women’s Heritage Month an important moment to mark for you?

A: International Women’s Day is an important day to celebrate smart, powerful women. It’s a chance to celebrate all the achievements of females, especially in Saudi Arabia with all the drastic changes we have had over the past few years.&nbsp;Saudi has taken action to accelerate gender parity by allowing women to work in almost all sectors, giving them leadership roles, and enabling them to drive, travel, and work without the consent of their father/husband to increase women’s independence and map the road to equality.

Q: What advice would you give your teenage self?&nbsp;&nbsp;

A: Believe in yourself, everything and anything is possible - the sky is your limit. And, one that I always try remember when times get tough:

“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”.

Q. Tell us a bit about yourself, your career, your role in the business and how long you've been a Starbucks partner?

A: I grew up in Chicago where my deep love for Starbucks began when I turned 15, when I could leave campus at lunchtime to get my daily grande mocha. Fast forward 27 years and I'm now an evangelically proud Green Apron Coffee Master and 2.5 year partner at the London office looking after sourcing for the UK. Without my team our stores wouldn’t have food, milk, or wooden cutlery for a start! At 17 I left home to start a meandering route to London, by way of Honolulu, Las Vegas, New York, and Edinburgh. In 2012 I moved to Amsterdam where I met a Dutch man and quickly locked it down – we had three children in three years, and in 2019 I returned triumphantly with all of them to London. I'm now raising my children as Dutch as possible - sprinkles on bread for breakfast and self-assured.

A: Seeing the evolution of awareness of women's experiences over the last few years, in particular the Me Too movement, has opened my eyes to the banal misogyny I grew up with in the 80s and 90s.&nbsp;We have come remarkably far in a short period of time to call out our experiences. Women's History Month and International Women's Day are opportunities to reflect on this, but more importantly bolster our&nbsp;nerve&nbsp;to talk.&nbsp;What I’ve learned in the last few years, in my 40s, is that there is no place for embarrassment, shame, or secrecy.&nbsp;

Q: Data demonstrates that COVID 19 has had a significant impact on many women’s careers. How has the pandemic impacted you, and what advice would you give to help mitigate long term impacts of the pandemic for all women at Starbucks?&nbsp;&nbsp;

A: I don't know any parents, women in particular, who have not had a hellscape of a year. For me, and others around me, there was immense pressure to hold it together for our families and our partners, and to protect my enormous privilege of employment. Women will be feeling negative economic impacts of the pandemic&nbsp;for years&nbsp;to come. But I try to remember that we are the lucky ones. In the moments you come up for air, give support to anyone you can reach, in whatever capacity you have.

A: My journey with the Starbucks brand starter almost nine years ago when I joined 23.5 Degrees, working up to my current role as Regional&nbsp;Director. My job involves communicating a compelling vision to my team to grow and develop our business, and effectively deliver the Starbucks Experience for our customers and partners. Leading a team of local managers, it’s important that I inspire and engage my team while helping execute a seamless regional operation with minimal disruption.

Q: Why is International Women’s Day/Women’s Heritage Month an important moment to mark for you?

A: Women's Heritage Month is an essential moment to mark because it is a testimony to all women. For me, it’s important to remember those who went before us and challenged the status quo, surpassing tradition to strive for more with the belief and courage to reject conventional notions about the place of women in society, and instead having a vision of a diverse society where one and all’s contributions are celebrated and recognised equally. &nbsp;

Q: What advice would you give your teenage self?&nbsp;

A: Believe in myself and to be vocal. You won’t remember the good and positive things people say but you will remember how they made you feel. And also, to embrace your mistakes, and use them to thrive.

A: I’m Roshnee, I live in London, and my highlight of 2020 was getting engaged!

I started my Starbucks journey in 2019 as a Beverages Product Developer in the Research &amp; Development team and I’ve loved every minute of it so far.

Good food is more than just a passion for me – it’s an obsession. I’m always going over new flavour combinations in my mind and contemplating new techniques to experiment with in the kitchen – that rush when it all comes to fruition for my next meal is second to none.

I have a background in Chemistry as well as a Masters in Nutrition, so working to develop innovative and (more importantly) tasty food and beverages is a dream.

Q: Why have you joined WIN and what excites you most about the activities the group have planned?

A: University was a real eye-opener for me, as I was one of only ten female students out of 200 in my Chemistry BSc – a male dominance that’s sadly common amongst all the science, technology, engineering, and mathematical degrees (STEM).

Not only is there is a severe lack of women entering these fields, but for the women who do, they must navigate often exclusionary and inflexible male-dominated cultures to succeed, meaning women in leadership roles within the STEM industry are scarce. It really is a cycle we need to break!

Therefore, I was quick to join the Women's Impact Network as I think we need to recognise that there is still important work to be done when it comes to gender equality, particularly within the STEM industries. Ignoring the historic issue of gender inequality won’t remove the glass ceiling – we must address the invisible barriers to improve our future.

I’m already so proud of all that the Women’s Impact Network has so far, and as we continue to find new ways to support and educate, I hope we can show that we’re not a “women’s only club”, and that we’d love to see allyship from all partners.

Q: What advice would you give your teenage self?

A: Relax, and don't be so hard on yourself! Worrying too much about the future takes away the energy you need to enjoy your life right now, and those teenage years go by so quickly. Every mistake you make has led you to where you are today – learn from them and become stronger! I heard someone say, "if something looks completely impossible, it's probably everything you should be doing. So don't say no too quickly". Be courageous, try it, ask the question! You're so much more capable than you think, so trust your gut and listen to your instinct.

Starbucks honours Women’s History Month - Starbucks Stories EMEA

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/17/2021/03/WHM-Stories-WP-Header.png

Starbucks Stories EMEA

Starbucks honours Women’s History Month

For Women’s Heritage Month this March, we have been celebrating women who are redefining leadership and stepping up in new ways. Here, we meet a few of our Starbucks EMEA partners. Q: Tell us a bit about yourself, your career, your role in the business and how long you&#8217;ve been a Starbucks partner? A: I’m […]

https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2021/starbucks-honours-womens-history-month/

twitter:card

twitter:description

twitter:image

twitter:title

This October, during Black History Month, Starbucks is proud to celebrate the unique stories of our partners and what this month means to them.

starbucks-blocks/pull-quote-image

Q. Tell us a bit about yourself, your career, role in the business and how long you have been a partner?

A. I am Basil, I live in London, married for 33-years, and have three grown-up children.

I have been proud to be a partner for other 12-years and currently work in Finance as Credit Controller. I am also a Coffee Master, a Mental Health First Aider, and the Chair of the Starbucks EMEA Black Partner Network. Outside of work, I am also a trustee for the Hogarth Charitable Trust, a children’s charity based in Chiswick.

Q. Basil, as the chair of the Black Partner Network, please can you tell us a little more about it.

A. The EMEA Black Partner Network was established in July, it follows to some extent the best practice and legacy of our Black Partner Network in the US which was established way back in 2007.&nbsp;

The Black Partner Network aims are to encourage diversity, promote inclusion, and contribute to the success of our partners and our business. Giving partners the opportunity to act with courage, no longer be bystanders, and challenge the status quo to influence our culture through the lens of humanity.

The Black Partner Network is led by partners, for partners, and is open and available to all EMEA Support Centre Partners to join to share, learn, listen, contribute, and grow.

Q. What does Black History Month mean to you, and why is it important to celebrate the landmark?

A. Black History is a time when the African diaspora can take time out to appreciate, by celebrating the people who came before them, and what they had fought for, and the present pioneers.

It’s to recognise their contribution to humankind, that was hidden from the rest of the world by design and bring awareness to the those whom choses to be enlighten by these facts, that the enslaved was an interruption to African history.

And that this diaspora refers to the many communities of people of African descent dispersed throughout the world because of historic involuntary movements, this being the result of the Arab and Atlantic slave trade.

From a personal impact perspective, and from my own family history, it’s an opportunity for me to reflect on my Great, Great, Great-Uncle’s contribution, who died on in battlefield defending the British empire – mother country as it as was known then – 1914-1918.

A. My name is Michelle Lisette Wilson, I am mixed race, my mother is from Belize, Central America and my father is Scottish, born in Dunfermline. I have been a Store Manager in Dunfermline Kingsgate Centre for just over two-years now. I began my Starbucks career as a supervisor in 2015 and it is the best decision I have ever made. Having worked in retail from the age of 16 I have had the pleasure of working in many different workplace environments and I can safely say none have been as welcoming, enjoyable and as motivating as working for Starbucks. The team I joined, and currently work with are my second little family, who I value massively. &nbsp;Past and present partners still socialise together and when old partners pass through from time to time it is like they have never been away. So far, I have had an amazing career and I cannot wait to see what the future holds.

A. Black History Month means so much as it's an opportunity for people of colour to celebrate their culture and the accomplishments of Black people through the ages. During Black History Month articles and stories are shared through social media and on the news. Museums and Art Galleries use this month to celebrate and try to educate. The more we discuss these things the more we can affect change. My hope is that more people will begin to know how oppressed Black people were and know more about their history. That they will begin to understand what Black people have been through and continue to go through. NOW is the time for change.

Never have we had a generation where so much is accepted and normalised, publicised or advertised. People can literally do or be whatever they want, the choices and opportunities are endless. So why is it we still find ourselves fighting for basic human rights for certain cultural groups? It makes no sense to me!

As the great Anti-Racism Educator Dr Jane Elliot once said, “There's only one race, the Human Race.”

I live by that. Happy Black History Month. Respect and love always.

A. My name is Rebecca Sotomi, manager of the Drive Thru store in Belvedere, Kent. I started at Starbucks 10 years ago as a barista and have risen through the ranks to where I am today. My journey with Starbucks has been an incredible and enjoyable one. I have had the opportunity to make friends and meet people both customers and partners. I have really grown from a shy and unsure 20-something to the confident self-assured woman I am today. I owe that to Starbucks.

Being African-Nigerian growing up, I felt uncertain of my place in the world and was unsure of how I would be received. This made me quiet and observant being slow to think about what my responses should be. I did not enjoy the benefit of being able to discover myself out loud. I've been blessed to not have had to deal with any overtly discriminatory behavior, but I have been cautious in certain places where I find myself.&nbsp;

A. Black history month is so important because it highlights the plight of a race of people who were for centuries repressed and oppressed. It also highlights the strengths and capabilities of the amazing men and women who broke free from their oppression and achieved incredible feats. Lastly, Black history month is important because it is vital that we don't forget.

As George Santayana so eloquently said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”.

A. My name is Longji Longhor, I am a two-and-a-half-year partner and currently work within the Accounts Payable Department. The heartbeat of the company being responsible for all outgoing payments to our suppliers.

Q. Longji, as the co-chair of the Black Partner Network, please can you tell us a little more about it.

A. I am one of two co-chairs of the Black Partner Network, created following the death of George Floyd.

Whilst the Black Partner Network was born out of an unwarted situation, I am very proud to say that we have made huge strides in a short space of time, showing we really can make the best of a bad situation.&nbsp;

A. Black History is so important for me as it is a time for us to reflect on the rich history and heritage we have.&nbsp; A lot of our history was lost during the burning of the Library of Alexandria, pillaging of the Library of Timbuktu, and with the 400 years of slavery.

However, when I think of black history and people that has really helped shape our history, I think of people such as: Mohammed Ali, Rosa Parks, Kofi Annan, Oprah Winfrey, Frederick Douglass, Lewis Hamilton, Maya Angelou, Nelson Mandela, Bob Marley, Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King, Jr, Wole Soyinka &amp; Barack Obama to list a few.

When I think of black history, I think of the great achievements black people have done to contribute to the world we live in of recent years. I think of Barack Obama becoming the first Black president in the United States, I think of Lewis Hamilton equalling Michael Schumacher race wins and on course to becoming the most successful F1 driver in F1 history and a plethora of other achievements Black people have accomplished.

This is why Black History Month is important to me. I believe in due course the world will become a better place.

“Real Eyes, Recognise Real Lies, Imagine If We Only Saw The World Through The Innocence Of A Child’s Eyes” Josiah.

Starbucks honours Black History Month - Starbucks Stories EMEA

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/17/2020/10/BHM_2020_Header_Final.png

This October, during Black History Month, Starbucks is proud to celebrate the unique stories of our partners and what this month means to them. Q. Tell us a bit about yourself, your career, role in the business and how long you have been a partner? A. I am Basil, I live in London, married for […]

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/17/2020/10/BHM_2020_Header_Final-1024x533.png

https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2020/starbucks-honours-black-history-month/

Starbucks honours Black History Month

&nbsp;Five finalists, three rounds of heated competition, and copious amounts of coffee

This September saw five Milan Roastery partners battle it out through coffee tests challenging their skills, knowledge, and expertise – not to mention a deep passion for handcrafted coffee. Having been whittled down from 30 competitors back in July, the five finalists had everything to play for: the title of Roastery Barista Champion 2020.

Taking place in the Reserve Roastery Milano on its two-year anniversary, the annual Barista Championship format was completely redesigned to focus specifically on Starbucks Reserve Roastery partners and manual coffee craft.

core/media-text

The two-day competition was the first of its kind in more ways than one, with the addition of virtual judging to overcome COVID-19 travel restrictions. Each round saw two physical judges joined by one virtual judge, all paying careful attention to taste, presentation and technique.

The five finalists were challenged to pick a Roastery-exclusive coffee of their choice to showcase across the three stages. Once chosen, they were ready and raring to go.

First up was Barista Craft, where partners created a carefully calibrated espresso in a series of expertly poured Flat Whites – cue latte art aplenty!

Next came Coffee Curiosity. Here, the competitors showcased their preferred brewing method, whether Coffee Pres, Syphon, Chemex or Pour-Over. At this point, things were *literally* heating up.

Last up was the Signature Beverage round, where baristas utilised mixology credentials in the Roastery’s Arriviamo Bar. The creative prowess showcased here was crucial, with the aim to develop a beverage fit for the prestigious Roastery menu. If successful, the winner would have a chance to develop their drink with the Starbucks innovation team.

After a nerve-wracking three rounds over the course of two days, only one barista could take home the grand prize: three cheers for 24-year-old Gisella Felice!

We caught up with Gisella as she celebrated her victory in Milan.

What is your favourite coffee?

My favourite has to be the coffee I used in the competition, the Costa Rica Honey Process, which has a delicious natural sweetness.

How did you keep your coffee passion alive during lockdown?

It’s impossible for true passion to disappear, it’s always there!

How did you prepare for the Barista Championships?

I dedicated myself, mind, body and soul to the competition – a lot of hard work got me to this point. Talking about coffee is such an integral part of my life, it always has been!

What was your favourite part of the competition?

I loved presenting a Brazilian coffee brewed with the Syphon method, where I got to share one of my most cherished childhood memories with the judges. Of course, another special moment was when they announced I was the winner – that was very emotional, I’ll never forget it.

What qualities make a Starbucks Roastery Barista Champion?

A lot of passion and dedication for sure! Not to mention persistence and a constant desire to improve and overcome your limits.

How did it feel when you won the first Roastery Barista Championships?

It took me a while to realise that it was my name being called! It’s hard to describe the feeling, a mix of total shock and joy. Winning the championship really shows that hard work pays off.

Partners compete in world’s first Starbucks Reserve Roastery Barista Championship in Milan - Starbucks Stories EMEA

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/17/2020/09/Milan_Final_5_V2.png

Partners compete in world’s first Starbucks Reserve Roastery Barista Championship in Milan

&nbsp;Five finalists, three rounds of heated competition, and copious amounts of coffee This September saw five Milan Roastery partners battle it out through coffee tests challenging their skills, knowledge, and expertise – not to mention a deep passion for handcrafted coffee. Having been whittled down from 30 competitors back in July, the five finalists had […]

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/17/2020/09/Milan_Final_5_V2-1024x533.png

https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2020/partners-compete-in-worlds-first-starbucks-reserve-roastery-barista-championship-in-milan/

core/separator

Every day, even through times of hardship and temporary store closures, our partners support the communities and neighborhoods we are a part of. 

core/heading

Through donations and community spirit, Starbucks partners across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) are helping to navigate COVID-19 and keep human connection remaining at the heart of what they do, creating a reimagined sense of community amid the chaos – at a time when our world needs it most. 

We continue to make our communities stronger thanks to our partners proudly wearing the green apron.

So far, our UK store partners have given away 200,000 free beverages to NHS staff.

Whilst our UK and EMEA Distribution Centres have connected with local community groups and food banks to donate: 

150,000 Bottles of Juice

50,000 Packets of Biscuits

50,000 Bars of Chocolate

16,800 kg Whole Bean Coffee

30 pallets of beverage components such as Hot Chocolate and other treats

STARBUCKS SHARES A COFFEE WITH The front-line responders of Milan

At the beginning of March, Milan was one of the first cities in both Italy and Europe to face the outbreak of COVID-19. Starbucks partners responded quickly to ensure the safety of both partners and customers and shut stores across the country along with the Reserve Roastery Milano.

Partners next thoughts quickly went to those on the front-line – hospital workers, doctors, nurses, cleaning staff – who, day-in-day-out, are responding to the COVID-19 emergency.

From the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Piazza Cordusio, bags of ground coffee were sent to the city’s hospitals, ready to be enjoyed during the much-needed break from the intense work of a medical professional.

Partners even led a virtual coffee tasting, sharing the perfect brewing techniques along with information on the Roastery’s small-lot Kenya Baragwi Reserve coffee.

“It’s been intense and emotional to prepare a coffee press together with the nurses”, tells Greta, a Roastery partner. “I was happy to represent all partners on that occasion”.

This small act of kindness was a “message of closeness to the community that we passionately wish to serve”.

Starbucks On The Go gives 500,000 cups of free coffee to front-line responders

Half a million hot drinks are expected to be given away to frontline responders in the UK. Starbucks On The Go is handing out free hot drinks to emergency staff by partnering with petrol channel operators, such as Selecta. Starbucks On The Go has also donated instant coffee to 30 UK NHS hospitals, ensuring healthcare workers are stocked up for their much-needed coffee break.

Update from the Manchester Foundation Trust

To help provide a proper coffee break amongst the madness, several weeks ago we sent cups of Colombian coffee and caramel waffles to the Manchester Foundation Trust Charity - the largest trust in the country that supports ten different hospitals across Manchester and Trafford.

Starbucks waffles were packed up into wellbeing boxes alongside other donated items like fluffy socks and toiletries to help healthcare workers find a little respite after their shifts.&nbsp;The boxes are then handed out to NHS staff as a little pick-me-up, with more than 12,000 boxes being given out so far – almost half of the 25,000 staff working for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. Every NHS worker that’s part of the efforts is included, from doctors and nurses to cleaners, porters and security guards.

Partners in Manchester gave the Manchester Foundation Trust Charity staff access to a Starbucks store next to their offices to provide some much-needed extra space, to be used as a little warehouse and store room where they can put all the wellbeing boxes together before distributing them to NHS workers across Greater Manchester and Trafford.

In the Netherlands, Sophia has been using her trusty retro scooter to support Dutch healthcare workers.

A five-year Starbucks partner (employee) and former Barista Champion, when Sophia’s Starbucks store closed due to the coronavirus outbreak, her first instinct was to think of others.

"What can we do, what are the tools and how can we use them?" Sophia asked her fellow partners, the answer was simple, coffee and community. "We came up with the idea of making coffee goodie bags for hospital staff, the people that are working so hard right now".

So she started making coffee goodie bags for hospital staff, packing up nearly 100 bags of coffee and delivering them to her local hospital, HagaZiekenhuis, by hand - via her trusty retro scooter named Iva.&nbsp;

It was far from straightforward on such a small scooter - "I had two huge shoppers full of coffee bags, my legs were hidden beneath, it was a bit of a puzzle but we made it work" – but Sophia could see first-hand how appreciated her efforts were.

"You could tell that they appreciated it a lot, even from a distance, you could see that they wanted to hug you and everything, that was a beautiful thing. They all waved and we were shouting to each other saying 'enjoy it' and 'thank you!'. To all feel part of one community, it's really nice".

With Starbucks partners and licensees all across EMEA stepping up to show their support, we’ve seen the real difference donations can make, and will continue to do all we can to support communities through COVID-19 and beyond.

Starbucks partner (employee) support for those working on the frontline of COVID-19 has continued over the last fortnight, with a further 50,000 single-serve coffees, 1600 chocolates and 1000 lemonades donated to front line services and key workers in Swansea.

core-embed/twitter

Starbucks partners handed over the keys to one stores within the same building as the Manchester Foundation Charity Trust to allow staff more space to organise wellbeing packs for NHS workers which included Starbucks goodies donated by Starbucks UK a few days previously. On top of this, 50,000 units of Doubleshot espresso to Midlands NHS.

Starbucks Iberia has continued its efforts in April to donate food and drink to hospitals across Portugal and Spain. Since the beginning of the month 9,500 coffee capsules along with cups and sugar have been delivered to the Quirón hospital in Madrid, and the San José, Curry Cabral Hospital and Pedro Hispano Hospitals in Portugal.

And in France, partners have been donating coffee and pastries to local hospitals and secured special dispensation to be out of the house and reopen two Starbucks stores, specifically to provide coffee and comfort to vital frontline healthcare professionals.

core/gallery

Starbucks France Supporting the Unsung Healthcare Heros 

Doctors and nurses across the world are supported by an integral network of hospital porters, these vital, yet often forgotten, healthcare professionals keep hospitals moving by ensuring the smooth flow of patients and equipment around a hospital site -- without them, hospitals would literally come to a standstill.

Porters at Georges-Pompidou Hospital in Paris, France, reached out to Starbucks for any support they could offer and the Starbucks France and Benelux Leadership team were quick to act. Within the week, the partners acquired the keys to two Starbucks stores, along with a permit to be out of the house and began providing coffee and comfort to the vital frontline healthcare professionals.

After making all the necessary arrangements over the phone, Majda, one of the eight partners involved in the project, recalls the first delivery the team made: "The first time we met [the hospital porters], they were so happy, we would have liked to hug each other but, of course, during this time we cannot -- it was so frustrating, honestly. It's a small thing but we are happy to do it, to support and recognise those who are doing a great job around the clock."

Preparing the large takeaway containers is no simple feat, the partners meet at 6 a.m. 3-4 times a week, spend up to two hours brewing the coffee before personally delivering. For the "full Starbucks Experience" they also include paper cups, sugar, stirrers and sweet treats from Starbucks bakery selection.

The partners are currently supporting eight hospitals and one care home, when asked how long they would be able to continue this bespoke service, Majda simply said: "as long as we have coffee and hands we will continue".

Our strength as a company comes from our partners, and as a business we are constantly assessing how else we can support our partners manage the crisis as smoothly as possible.

So today, Wednesday 8 April 2020, we’re launching our Global Partner Emergency Relief Fund, a first-of-its-kind initiative to help support our partners who find themselves facing financial hardship during these unprecedented times.

The global programme will see an initial $10million invested in providing support to the extraordinary needs of partners affected by COVID-19 in markets across EMEA, aiming to cover expenses including (but not limited to) loss of household income, urgent travel needs, back-up child care, sudden loss of home, death of a family member or partner and related funeral expenses.

It will be available from Thursday to equity partners across the UK, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria and Italy, and as a business we are constantly assessing how else we can support our partners and navigate our way through the chaos of COVID-19 together, as smoothly as possible.

To our UK National Health Service (NHS)

NHS workers are at the frontline of UK efforts to combat COVID-19 and Starbucks partners (employees) have been keen to show their appreciation and support.

It started with partners giving away free filter coffee to NHS, council and emergency workers and writing notes of thanks on coffee cups.

Then, when Starbucks UK announced that it would be temporarily closing all stores, partners rallied to distribute as much surplus stock as possible. Hospitals, food banks, shelters and care homes received food and drink donations from us and although stores had closed, partners took this opportunity to connect with their local communities and show their support for key workers.

More recently, Starbucks UK partners have been in touch with NHS Trusts and charities across the country to determine where the greatest need is for stock that may go to waste in Starbucks distribution centres. This includes donations from Starbucks partners themselves. Known as “mark-out”, all Starbucks partners can take home a weekly free pack of coffee to enjoy, but as stores are closed, partners are now donating their allowance to the NHS instead – with all donations being matched by Starbucks.

Early on 30 March, a delivery of 12,000 packs of Via – equivalent to 144,000 cups of coffee –&nbsp;was donated on behalf of partners from “mark-out” to eight health care facilities across Coventry and Manchester, England. Nearly 40,000 units of biscuits and chocolate, and over 9500 units of juice were donated at the same time.

Donations won’t end there, we also provided 50,000 coffees, 1600 chocolates and 1000 lemonades to front line services, including the NHS, in Swansea.

Partners are continuing to work with local authorities and charities to identify where there is the greatest need and where Starbucks might be able to help.

To our Communities: Partners bring coffee and comfort across EMEA

Throughout the EMEA region partners have been supporting their local communities. 

In the Middle East, Starbucks partners handed out 23,000 beverages on day one of the healthcare and frontline responder giveaway. Those receiving free drinks included scientists from Kuwait’s Ministry of Health carrying out research to better understand how best to tackle COVID-19.

Similarly, partners across the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia have been donating coffee and food packages to hospitals and ambulance stations – and for the added Starbucks touch, they too have been adding words of support to their donations to thank emergency workers.

In the Netherlands, Dutch partners have donated 1,260 litres of milk, 38.5 kilograms of oranges and 21 kilograms of coffee to community cafes serving sick, elderly, care workers, refugees and the homeless. Like other markets, Dutch partners also distributed cups of coffee to local healthcare workers and local police forces.

While many Starbucks stores are temperately closed and partners are not seeing each other day-to-day, that hasn’t stopped partners being creative in the way they connect, online.

In Italy partners have created a virtual academy to connect and learn from each other and from partners globally. External speakers have also delivered seminars - such as TED talker Paolo Gallo who spoke on the importance of constant learning.

In Spain to encourage the all-important&nbsp;‘hamaiketako’ (11 o’clock light refreshment), live coffee tastings have been broadcast daily via Instagram. For their most recent “café a las 11” (coffee at 11), Coffee Master Maria shared her top tips for preparing the perfect French Press.

Partners and customers alike have also been sharing pictures of their furry friends in Spain as, for many, their household pets are the only company they have while in lockdown.

And in the EMEA Support Centre, teams have shown ingenuity, creativity and fun in the ways they've chosen to stay connected. From team fitness sessions to virtual pub quizzes.

Thank you, partners - Starbucks Stories EMEA

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/17/2020/04/Middle_East_Good_Blog_1.png

Every day, even through times of hardship and temporary store closures, our partners support the communities and neighborhoods we are a part of. Through donations and community spirit, Starbucks partners across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) are helping to navigate COVID-19 and keep human connection remaining at the heart of what they do, […]

https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2020/thank-you-partners-covid-19/

Thank you, partners

The individually decorated Mermaids Cookie are now available to buy in participating Starbucks stores across the U.K.

50p from the sale of each cookie goes towards raising a minimum of £100k for charity Mermaids

core-embed/youtube

With a combination of delicious buttery shortbread, a blue glaze and hand piped purple icing, all made from natural colourings, each hand decorated cookie is a wave of colours and flavours. &nbsp;

To bring you each hand-crafted cookie, Starbucks collaborated with Mermaids on the shimmering design and teamed up with the skilled artisans from family-run bakery, Cakehead. Making your cookie taste even better, 50p from every sale will go towards the £100k donation that will help grow Mermaids’ helpline services, which provide support for young transgender people and their families.

The limited edition Mermaid Cookie is part of Starbucks wider #whatsyourname campaign.

At Starbucks, we have always aspired to be a different kind of company. We are driven by our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.starbucks.co.uk/about-us%2Fcompany-information%2Fmission-statement">mission</a> – to inspire and nurture the human spirit; one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time.

Since our beginnings, Starbucks has been a&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2019/starbucks-pride-a-long-legacy-of-lgbtq-inclusion/">values-led company</a>&nbsp;and we continue to work towards creating a warm and inclusive&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/use-of-the-third-place-policy/">Third Place</a>. A place where members of the community can gather, feel welcomed and experience a deep sense of connection. We work to bring our mission to life by creating an equitable, diverse and inclusive culture: in our workplace, our communities, and in our stores.

Taking a customer’s name, writing it on a cup and calling it out is a symbol of our warm welcome. It is part of the&nbsp;Starbucks Experience&nbsp;and creates a moment of connection between our baristas and customers.

Starbucks&nbsp;#whatsyourname&nbsp;campaign celebrates this signature act and the significance it can have for some transgender and gender diverse people as they use their new name in public. The advert, created in partnership with creative agency Iris, was inspired by real life experiences of people who were transitioning. We discovered that they found Starbucks stores to be a safe space, where their new name was accepted, and they could be recognised as who they are.

We were moved to discover that individuals find our stores a safe space to try out their new names when transitioning. The recognition by Channel 4’s Diversity in Advertising Award provides us with an ideal platform to demonstrate how moments of connection can have real impact, while also helping to address the transgender community’s lack of representation in UK advertising.

As part of this campaign, we also saw this as an opportunity to leverage our scale to help expand the vital support services needed within the transgender community and their families. Therefore, we are partnering with the charity&nbsp;<a href="https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/">Mermaids</a>&nbsp;with the aim of raising at least £100,000 for their helpline through the sale of a special edition Mermaid Cookie in our stores.

The organisation has seen over a 600% increase in demand for its helpline service in the past five years, and our support will help grow this service, allowing the charity to employ an additional helpline operator and extend its webchat service.

Susie Green, CEO of Mermaids, said: “The funds raised through&nbsp;#whatsyourname&nbsp;will allow us to make a meaningful change to our helpline that supports young trans people and their families who are so desperately in need of access to information and reassurance.”

As part of the&nbsp;#whatsyourname&nbsp;campaign, ‘Moving Portraits’ celebrate real life stories of how people chose their new names.

Starbucks new limited-edition Mermaids Cookie is making a splash! - Starbucks Stories EMEA

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/17/2020/02/Cookie_PNG.png

Starbucks new limited-edition Mermaids Cookie is                     making a splash!

The individually decorated Mermaids Cookie are now available to buy in participating Starbucks stores across the U.K. 50p from the sale of each cookie goes towards raising a minimum of £100k for charity Mermaids With a combination of delicious buttery shortbread, a blue glaze and hand piped purple icing, all made from natural colourings, each […]

Starbucks new limited-edition Mermaids Cookie is           making a splash! - Starbucks Stories EMEA

https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2020/whatsyourname-starbucks-mermaids-cookie/

Starbucks welcomes you, whoever you are and whomever you want to be.

Behind the Green Apron

Starbucks honours Women’s History Month

Starbucks honours Black History Month

Partners compete in world’s first Starbucks Reserve Roastery Barista Championship in Milan

Thank you, partners

Starbucks new limited-edition Mermaids Cookie is making a splash!

Every Name’s a Story #whatsyourname

Top 12 Moments from the Past 12 Months

South Africa scoops the title of 2019 EMEA Barista Champion

Could a Champion Barista be pulling your next shot at Starbucks?

Starbucks brings together 30 countries to compete in this year’s EMEA Barista Championship Finals

Partners reflect on one year of coffee, connection and opportunity in Milan

Welcome to the K9 Community Café