Putting Communities First
We craft sustainable products to transform lives and create positive change in our local community.
Chocolate & Co began for the purpose of breaking down and overcoming the barriers to employment, for those marginalised and living on the fringes of our community in York, due to struggling with an addiction, and/or having a criminal record.
We’ve experienced first hand the devastating consequences of addiction, Chocolate & Co is our way of doing something to try to prevent another family losing a son or daughter to addiction. It’s a passion and we work with such amazing people, that it’s always a good day when we’re at work together.
We believe that at the core of transformational change, is having a sense of purpose, connectedness and belonging, which is the purpose of our paid employment project.
We don’t have all the answers, we believe they come from those with the lived experiences of these struggles - what we have, is the drive, the energy, the passion and the heart to create the opportunity of a dynamic environment where we can facilitate those with lived experiences helping foster change, to see a better future ahead.
Having connections with another charity (Our Father’s Heart), in a small township in Uganda, the inspiration for the original Chocolate & Co brand was born.
Taking inspiration from a painting of ‘Hope’, a child painted by a local artist, paired with the sense of earthiness, connection and the simplicity of the way of life, rich oranges and hues of blue formed the foundation of our identity, this inspiration is carried through into our rebrand (2023) as we continue on our mission.
“I was living in a homeless hostel, with nothing, no hope or proper living. Chocolate & Co gave me something to aim for and gave me some hope back. I’m now out of the hostel and living in a shared house, I’m working and volunteering. Chocolate & Co gave me that first step and second chance and without them I wouldn’t be where I am now”
Damien, early forties, with his soft smile and gentle sense of humour and Claire, mid-thirties, dazzling, vivacious and once seen never forgotten. Two beautiful souls, who, if you'd had the privilege of meeting them on their good days you'd never have guessed had battled with addiction from their teenage years. The physical needs of this devastating illness caused them to suffer for many years as well as the awful shame and stigma that accompanies it.
We saw firsthand the positive effect that having paid work and purpose, whilst being part of a community of others, had given them. How, for a period of time, this sense of belonging had pushed their addiction further into the background, allowing them stability and a sense of self-esteem beginning to grow.
Devastatingly, the pandemic came, the extended period of isolation took hold, and we lost them both to their addictions, in 2020 and 2021.
But this tragedy made us realise that we wanted to do something to try to prevent it happening to others, so that our friends and families did not have to experience losing loved ones to addiction. Having someone believe in you can be transformational. It can build confidence and restore a sense of self-worth, which is why we started Chocolate & Co - to give those often overlooked and socially excluded the opportunity to begin again.
Our brand guardians, Art is my Career created our rebrand for the cafe launch in 2023.
Using inspiration from our story, Claire and Damo sit at the forefront of everything we do. Their illustration sits proudly in the centre of the cafe, with them often becoming a talking point between customers and colleagues.
This illustration style was the inspiration for our team wall. Celebrating all the achievements and wonderful people who grace our doors.
