We are currently awaiting final confirmation from Liverpool City Council's Assets team that we do not require planning permission for our project. We are extremely confident that this will be confirmed before the end of this campaign and we can proceed with the project. No funds will be transferred to the project delivery manager until we have confirmation from the Assets team. We will convert a disused container located at St James Community Centre into a 'Coffee Pod' selling premium quality, affordable coffee (and other hot/cold non-alcoholic beverages) to local residents, students and the public. Container Coffee will be run by volunteers who will gain skills, increase confidence, and improve their career opportunities. All profits will be used to help families across the city experiencing domestic violence. We want children and young people of our families to have a huge part in the growth and expansion of this project to help raise their aspirations.

What we'll deliver:

• Renovate an existing container for coffee outlet
• Buy and install equipment
• Mentor, train and employ people affected by domestic abuse
• Provide environmentally friendly products and services

Why it's a great idea:

Merseyside Domestic Violence Service, formerly known as Chrysalis, is a grass roots charity set up to support women, families, and young people at risk of suffering domestic violence. Established since 2003, we have supported and transformed the lives of many hundreds of high-risk families across our city. This project will create a new pathway to raise much more awareness of the impact of domestic violence on children, young people, and adults in our society. Home is a safe haven for many people but for those experiencing domestic violence it is the place where they are most likely to be seriously harmed or murdered than anywhere else. This project will help raise awareness so that there is less harm, less suffering and more lives can be saved, and the home can become a safer place to live. Every cuppa will 'lift the lid' on domestic violence, every cuppa will create a conversation where every conversation can lead to change.

Steps to get it done:

• Buying Coffee Machine, cups, and other supplies
• Organise and coordinate the development of the container
• Video the conversion of the container and share on Social Media
• Contact local press for support in promoting the development and launch of the container
• Involve local students in the Graphic Design and Logo
• Train volunteers to become Baristas
• Set a countdown for opening and launch of the Coffee Pod
• Actively promote the launch through local media, social media and amongst students and local businesses
• Launch day - community event

This project will create life changing opportunities for our volunteers. Charities are very reliant on grant funding and this project will create new opportunities for the sustainability and growth of our charity. Raising awareness can be extremely difficult and costly, this project will give us the platform we need to raise awareness whilst also raising income to meet the needs of people in our city whose lives are affected by domestic violence. We have longterm plans for the project to have a mobile unit where we can have a presence at large events in the city. The Christmas Markets would be an ideal location as Christmas is a time when domestic violence increases and to raise awareness in this way would help bring people together. We want to lift people's spirits through a project like this, and let those who buy our coffee and hot beverages send a strong messages to others that domestic violence will not be tolerated in our city.