Bird & Blend Tea Co. Nottingham – Supporting a regular

Eva, Store Manager

One of our regulars came in recently, visibly upset. She’d just received an email inviting her to a disciplinary meeting at work. The entire team at her company was under pressure, as management had been letting staff go without following proper procedures. She was in tears, explaining that she’d only just put down a deposit on a house and couldn’t afford to lose her job – especially not unfairly, as she’d seen happen to others. She said she just needed a drink during her break before heading back.

I asked if she’d like a few minutes upstairs for some quiet space, but she said she was fine. So instead, we talked. Together, we went through what she could do next – whether she had union support, how to prepare for the meeting, and what backup plans she might put in place. My aim was to help her regain a sense of control over the situation.

At one point, she apologised for being “dramatic”. I reassured her that her reaction was entirely understandable given the circumstances, and that it was good she already had a plan and time to prepare before the meeting the following week. Gradually, she calmed down.

When she went to pay for her drink, we insisted it was on the house. More than anything, I just wanted her to have a safe space – somewhere she could process her emotions freely, without judgement, and without having to bottle them up before returning to work.

In essence, we offered her understanding, space, and guidance – small gestures that helped her feel supported and reminded her she wasn’t facing it all alone.