A Lisburn cafe has come up with a kind-hearted new scheme in order to help provide a boost to anyone in need.
The Vegan Rocket on Bridge Street has launched a "suspended coffee scheme" where customers will be able to come in and purchase an extra beverage with their orders which will be stored in order to give someone needing a pick-me-up a free drink.
It will also be storing one hot meal every time someone uses the High Street Vouchers in their store.
Trisha Ross, who owns the cafe connected to her dog grooming business Poppy's Pawsome Pups, said she started the scheme in order to help the vulnerable in her community and had seen something similar a number of years ago while on holiday in America and thought that it would be a good way to brighten up a few people's days.
Speaking to Belfast Live, she said: "A number of years ago I used to volunteer with a homeless support group where I would be out a few nights during the week providing a bit of support to rough sleepers in Belfast.
"Since I have had this business I have not been able to do that because I am always so busy, but I wanted to still do something that would help the more vulnerable in our community or even just provide a pick-me-up to someone who is having a bad day, so I launched the suspended coffee scheme.
"In order to take part all you have to do is purchase an extra coffee when you are in the cafe and I will mark it up so that it can be redeemed by someone else later, no questions asked. It is all about giving someone a little bit of a boost if they need it.
"Since it started I have had a lot of interest in it from customers, with one person even dropping in just to buy a couple of coffees that can be given away later to someone. It is just wonderful to see the generosity that some people have for others."
Trisha said that the amount of coffees that are available are written up on a board that she keeps outside the cafe so that customers are able to see how many are left.
Trisha continued: "There are a lot of people who are having a hard time or struggling with their mental health at the moment and hopefully this can be something to brighten up someone's day.
"I lost my brother after he felt that he couldn't cope with his mental health and trying to support others is something that is very dear to me. We are not trained counsellors in the cafe, but if you are ever in need of a chat or someone to talk to and vent we are always happy to listen and do what we can to help."
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