Now also in Brest: A1 and Inclusive Barista open another coffee shop engaging staffers with disabilities

A joint project of A1 and a coffee shop chain Inclusive Barista engaging staffers with disabilities enter regional markets. The first fully inclusive place will appear in Brest – at A1 store at Masherova 17. This is what A1 CEO Helmut Duhs posted on his Facebook page.

The first coffee corner Inclusive Barista at A1 flagship store opened in November 2020 and over this time, given the queues observed, became popular among city dwellers.

Opening of a new place in Brest was announced by A1 CEO Helmut Duhs on his Facebook page. He noted that the telecom operator is continuously working on development of inclusivity and egalitarian society also inside of the company. Besides creation of barrier free environment in A1 offices and stores the company is open for recruitment of staffers irrespective of their physical capabilities.

Since late January Inclusive Barista together with A1 have been searching for personnel for the new coffee shop. Contenders are not required to have experience, they will be provided with a special training by Barista Academy. Over 50 contenders have already filed their applications while submission period is open till 10 February inclusive. The said academy accepts “students” with any physical capabilities. However, the Inclusive Barista project first of all aims at employment of people with the most complicated disability, that is why the wheel-chaired applicants for the coffee shop in Brest will be given a special priority.

“Should we select someone not local based on the results of the training, we will assist in relocation and accommodation. Changing a place of living and daily environment is a very important and complicated step for any person. We understand it and are ready to support our future team members. We used to have taken a few attempts in opening other regional coffee shops before”, - comments Alexander Avdevich, founder of the coffee shop chain Inclusive Barista, - and only now with such a partner like A1 we are confident our new coffee shop will be demanded and we can guarantee to our future team members their life will take a new positive turn”.

Opening of the coffee corner in Brest is planned for March. It was designed by architect Tatiana Tereschenko who had developed infrastructure of the two other coffee shops in Minsk. For any wheel chaired barista to easily reach closets and shelves, Tatiana took measurements of every staffer. Working environment for inclusive baristas has been well-detailed for A1 store in Brest too. The bar top has ergonomically built-in coffee machine, shop window and cash register, - everything to serve the customers quickly and comfortably.

What is new is a logo with a smiling director of the chain Vasya Pavlikov. Coffee shop visitors in Minsk believe Vasya is a so-called symbol and mascot of Inclusive Barista that is why Brest coffee shop will be also supervised by director Vasya. Coffee will be served in branded cups telling stories of every teammate.