Bigmoose Coffee Co
1959. Chloe Smith
Chloe Smith, from Cardiff, with her father Jeff, founded ‘bigmoose Coffee Co’ to help homeless and other disadvantaged individuals in the city get back into work and society by learning barista skills and gaining experience working in hospitality.
Jeff was previously awarded a Point of Light in 2016 for setting up ‘bigmoose’ in memory of his friend Gary ‘Moose’ Cloonan, who died from cancer, to motivate and inspire people to do a “monthly moose” or good deed. From this, his daughter Chloe, who had been involved with the campaign since its inception and had spent two years feeding people in Cardiff who are homeless, wanted to take the project further and launch a social enterprise to help others facing disadvantage. Through ‘Bigmoose Coffee Co’, Jeff and Chloe employ, train and mentor individuals at their not-for-profit coffee shop in conjunction with a local charity that supports young people at risk of homelessness. They also have an open door policy and provide free counselling to those suffering from mental health issues in the local community.
Chloe said:
“I am thrilled to be chosen as a Point of Light, and this is a great honour to be recognised for our work with bigmoose in the mental health charity sector.”
Jeff added:
“I am honoured to be part of bigmoose with my daughter Chloe, and this being chosen to be a Point of Light.”