Established in Leeds, 2022
Brewing Skills,
Building Futures
We empower refugees and asylum seekers in Leeds through professional barista training and real pathways to dignified employment.
Freshly roasted opportunities ☕
Start your journey
01
100+
People trained
02
5+
Café partners
03
2022
Founded in Leeds
HOPE
The Process
Three ways
we create change
Every programme is designed around one goal: giving people the skills and connections to step into fair, stable employment.
Barista & Hospitality Training
Professional barista certification led by Raymond Kwan, paired with ESOL English classes from Paula Moore.
Catering Services
Book Real Hope Leeds for events across the city. Every booking directly funds our training programmes.
Business Partnerships
Partner with us to offer paid work placements. Together we build genuine pathways into employment.
HISTORY
Our founders Arash & Phil
Real Lived Experience
Founded by
someone who
lived it
Real Hope Leeds was co-founded by Arash Kourjani, a former asylum seeker who experienced first-hand the barriers of exploitative informal labour.
Together with Phil Thomas, Arash built an organisation rooted in lived experience, using hospitality to open real doors.
Graduate Voice
“I learned barista skills, customer service, and met wonderful people. Real Hope gave me confidenceI didn't know I had.”
Senait
Real Hope Leeds Graduate
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