A mental health and suicide prevention charity born in Logan last week launched a coffee van that was already improving lives, even before its first coffee was poured.
Last Friday was a special moment for the team from A Chance for Change (ACFC) as they unveil Stigma Cupz coffee at the Jimboomba Christmas Brigade.
All proceeds raised from Stigma Cupz will go to ACFC’s community outreach programs, focussed on delivering mental health first aid workshops and awareness programs.
The van was donated by a family who lost two of their own to suicide within almost two years of each other.
ACFC ambassador Nathan St Ledger said the van will be a positive force in overcoming the stigma of mental health.
“A good mate of mine lost his brother and sister to suicide in the last two and bit years, and his sister had the coffee van, so we approached the family to see if we could purchase it,” ACFC ambassador Nathan St Ledger said.
“They’re all lovely people, and they know what difference it will make.”
When ACFC stepped in, there was still money owed on the van, so their priority was to ensure the family were relieved from this debt.
“We gained a sponsor to take that burden off the family,” he said.
ACFC intended to pay off the remainder through sales at each event, but the family had other ideas.
“After I met the family, they made the kind gesture of donating the van to us,” he said.
“Then we got Rams Home Loans at Jimboomba, who donated the money for us to purchase the coffee machine and coffee grinder to go with it.
“Another friend of ours paid for the sign writing and now it’s all ready to go.”
The van stands out with its striking green and black design.
The details of the wrap-around design make it as much a conversation-starter and educational tool as it is a coffee van.
Statistics about mental health are strategically placed and accompanied by slogans about breaking the stigma and speaking up when stuck in a dark place.
“It’ll change people’s lives and it’s done what it’s supposed to do without even selling a coffee,” Mr St Ledger said.
Out in the community, he has already seen the profound impact of the messaging, with several people stopping to chat about suicide and mental health.
This rung true when the coffee technician visited to install the machine and grinder.
“As soon as the gentlemen saw it, I had a conversation with him about a family member of his who he lost to suicide,” he said.
Stigma Cup is the latest edition to ACFC’s fleet of services, including the popular Stigma Cutz, a barber service built on the same mission.
Mr St Ledger said Stigma Cutz is currently taking a break while they find a new home after the lease of their previous location fell through due to the pandemic.
