West Wight Sports & Community Centre are celebrating the first year success of their Creating Opportunities in Our Kitchen ‘COOK’ project.
Since the launch of COOK last year, a total of 18 people have been supported through the project, as well as a further 20 through the healthy eating and cookery programme.
The project provides training and volunteering opportunities for people with learning and/or physical difficulties, people returning to work or going through a period of poor mental health, as well as young people.
The team are also celebrating earning a 5 star food hygiene rating for the café at the Centre – an achievement which is a credit to the team of staff and project participants who are led by Michele Newton.
Michele said:
“I am immensely proud of the team. The café and COOK Project is such a happy and positive environment to work in. Achieving a 5 star food hygiene rating reinforces the good work that our team are doing”.
19-year-old Kye Watson attends once a week and is learning to cook. His signature dish is cheese scones which he makes under the watchful eye of Michele. They are sold in the café.
Kye’s Mum, Kerry said:
“Not only is Kye learning practical skills such as kitchen hygiene, basic cooking skills and safety around the kitchen, but it is also helping him with his self-care. He is very aware of and takes care of his appearance on work days, makes sure his uniform is clean and ironed and knows he has to keep his nails clean and short.”
The COOK Project has provided the impetus to transform the catering at West Wight Sports & Community Centre and 2018 has seen the charity-owned Centre invest in the refurbishment of the café with fresh paint, new chairs, carpets and tables.
The menu, which includes a range of healthy take away foods made in house, has been refreshed with a range of meals that are nutritious and tasty. In addition, a new children’s birthday party menu has been launched – also with healthy options.
