Cap's Personal Journey

When I joined Well Grounded in the summer of 2025, I was nervous at the beginning but really eager to learn about coffee after being long term unemployed, and overcoming challenges with my mental health. My life from there changed, from learning new skills in the Academy and at my work experience with BaxterStorey, to speaking about my experiences at my graduation at UBS. After a brief period spent looking for a new role, I started with Ozone at the Santander work cafe.

I am surprised by how outgoing I am in my role. I think I had a false self image of being someone who couldn’t thrive talking to customers all day, but I just have my own style. I like to call it ‘David Lynch’ style customer service after the film director, because he had such well meaning weirdness in the way he presented himself. As well as deadpan silliness that comes naturally to me.

The relationships I have formed with my regulars and coworkers are so important to me now. Looking back, I think that I would reassure myself that the programme was a challenge that I was ready to take on. I’d say that I would find self love and self acceptance amongst the people in my cohort and in the wider community of people that I would get to know. Currently, I balance my job with my tailoring studies and gym training. In September, I want to compete in a queer strong man competition. My dreams for the future are just to keep making coffee and clothes that follow my

passions.