Why Starbucks reminds us that we need faith
Starbucks North America have announced that they are changing their policy which currently allows people to use their facilities even if they haven’t purchased anything. Citing the challenging economic conditions, a fall in sales and concerns about staff safety, the coffee chain will be implementing a new code of conduct for customers which will encourage staff to remove those who haven’t purchased something in store. Although Starbucks are a business and have a responsibility to earn money to pay for their facilities, this decision is disappointing as it removes a space for people to be able to gather together despite their circumstances.
In sociology, there is a concept of a third place, a space that allows people to gather for social engagement, a space that isn’t their home or place of work. These spaces allow for connection, for entertainment and for chances to access services. These spaces include coffee shops, bars and pubs, places designed for entertainment. But they also include places of worship or community centres operated by faith organisations. These spaces provided by faith groups often serve a wider portion of the community, being available to members of the community on a free basis – just pop in and have a chat. It means that whatever your circumstances, you can find a place to belong. In times past, these spaces would have been hubs for connection, the village church hall playing a key role in life for local residents. But as life has changed, the way we access these spaces has changed and many don’t have a third space they regularly attend.
But third spaces are a fantastic way to combat loneliness, to create connections, to signpost to help and support. During the cost-of-living crisis, many faith groups opened their doors as Warm Welcome spaces, places people who were struggling to pay for heating in their homes could attend. Our faith centres provide a place of belonging, a community that can be accessed during times of need, or just when you need a chat. Hospitality, opening our spaces to others, is a core concept for many of us who have a faith, and we want to use that to serve those around us, our friends and our community.
As we tackle the loneliness epidemic that we face as a country, third spaces will be an important element of how we start to solve the issue, providing those points where people can connect with others and build the lasting relationships that help them to recover. Places of worship and faith groups will need to play a key role in this, but it’s not something that will take much, just by being themselves. Of course, it might help if they can provide a decent cup of coffee.
