Catering training course for homeless people serves up another big plate of success
03 August 2010
Homelessness charity St Mungo's is once again celebrating the success of four clients who have all completed a ten week catering training programme run by Caterplus Services Limited.
The final 'Can Cook Will Cook' challenge was to cook a top notch Greek feast for 25 family and friends before a certificate presentation ceremony in Stockwell, South London. The four trainee chefs now have the opportunity to be selected for an advanced training programme leading to a paid apprenticeship with Caterplus Services.
In 1983 86% of St Mungo's clients were in work. Today, only 4% are in employment, two thirds have been out of work for five years or more, and, more worryingly, around 15% have never worked at all.
A report published recently by the charity, Work Matters, calls for the government to simplify back to work support for homeless people including specialist skills training and employability support to get people to the point where they are 'job ready'.
Trainee chef Alan has been living at a St Mungo's hostel in Covent Garden since summer 2009. He said: "I've always worked. I've worked pretty much since I was 17 but, following the breakdown of my marriage, I began to drink heavily and life just fell apart. Since coming to St Mungo's I feel like they've given me so many options. I mentioned I enjoyed cooking and sure enough, the next day they gave me information about this catering course. I applied there and then. I wanted to be busy, not stuck in my room. I have thoroughly enjoyed it, learning basic knife skills, food hygiene and learning all about different foods. I can't believe it's done - I'd like the course to be longer!
After graduating, Alan is hoping to be interviewed for the advanced course: "I'd love to do this in the future."
Mark ter Telgte, St Mungo's team leader for the programme, said; "The team at Caterplus has run an excellent course and we have again been very impressed with the response of our trainees. Courses like these are important in helping develop particular skills but also vital in boosting people's motivation, will power and self esteem. We hope that these successful graduates go on to apprenticeships, further training and then into long term jobs."
Tony Barrett, Food Service Director from Caterplus, added; "As St Mungo's catering provider, we are firmly committed to providing more than just food and this programme continues to be a successful way we are helping to meet St Mungo's objectives of getting people into long term work. The course has been a massive hit with everyone involved and feedback from the trainees has been brilliant."
This programme is one of 13 skills and employment programmes and projects St Mungo's offers to its 1,500 residents. Others include Putting Down Roots gardening training, Bricks and Mortar bricklaying and plastering, Painting and Decorating, experience in a wood workshop, and learning sound recording techniques in a hostel-based recording studio. These run alongside literacy, numeracy and educational courses run in conjunction with a range of local colleges and FE organisations.
NOTES
- For further information please contact Gemma Hollingshead on 020 8762 5570 or email gemma.hollingshead@mungos.org
- St Mungo's opens doors for homeless people. We provide emergency help and run over 100 projects that house and support homeless people's recovery and prevent rough sleeping. Every year we help thousands of people to make permanent life changes. St Mungo's works with homeless people on housing, health and work and learning opportunities.
- Caterplus Services Limited is the UK's largest, privately owned, provider of catering and housekeeping services to the care market. See http://www.caterplus.co.uk/
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