Our Next Chapter with Cope Foundation

We are incredibly pleased to announce that we are deepening our relationship with Cope Foundation, the non-profit organisation that provides services for individuals with an intellectual disability and/or autism.

We first started working with Cope Foundation in 2020 and last year, our colleagues Kaelan Skillington and Tadgh Barry joined the Cork Warehouse team via Cope Foundations’ Ability@Work Programme. Kaelan and Tadgh have become valued Classic Drinks colleagues, supporting our delivery and product-picking process.

Cope Foundation supports and empowers 2,800 children and adults to live “Your Life, Your Way”. They work with families and local communities to provide training, education, respite, therapy, and support. Now Sysco colleagues are working with Cope Foundation to further bridge the gap between education and work that many of the people they support find difficult to navigate.

• Our Warehouse Training team is creating a six-month Sysco Warehouse programme that will provide participants with an accredited certification.
• Our Learning and Development team is developing a module focused on soft business skills such as time management, problem solving, teamwork and communication.
• Our Culinary Team is collaborating with Cope Foundation to develop simple and nutritious meal plans.

This next stage of the Sysco and Cope Foundation journey will commence in spring in our Cork site and as the programme evolves it will be rolled out across the business. We will be keeping you fully updated on this journey as we foster a culture where everybody thrives.

Some of the Cope Foundation team and people they support will join our Cork colleagues at our Sysco Social Christmas lunch on December 14^th.

This will be a chance to say “hi” and they will also be selling their 2024 Calendar (€5) so don’t forget to bring some cash! This will be the first of a range of initiatives and events between Sysco and Cope Foundation.

 This year’s Customer Christmas card was designed by visual artist, Amy Begley. Amy has an intellectual disability and advocates for people with disabilities thought the arts. Amy has previously availed of support from Cope Foundation.