Warwickshire News Mine

In April 2004, the Gap Community Centre in Oakwood Grove needed a new caterer for its luncheon group for local older residents.  The county’s day services division, Emscote Centre, together with Warwickshire College, approached The Gap with an innovative proposal.

The college offered training to the centres’ service users, adults with learning disabilities,  in catering; service users began training in food preparation, basic food hygiene and customer service, and a group of four service users, supported by staff from Emscote Centre and Warwickshire College took over the catering for the older people’s groups supplying a range of reasonably priced healthy options.

Following the success of the luncheon club, Fill the Gap Café was opened on Fridays at The Gap in October 2004.  Demand continued to increase until a further day’s opening, known as Bridge the Gap on Monday, was funded by the Heart of England Community Foundation’s Global Grants in July of 2005.

In the meantime the service users continued with their training.  This has culminated in 13 of them recently receiving National Open College Network qualifications at a special event at The Gap.  The Mayor of Warwick District Council, Misan McFarland, presented certificates to each of the students.

The benefits have been enormous explains Suzanne Hotten, operational manager for Emscote Centre with the county council.  Many of the service users have gone on to the point where their skills, both catering and social, have blossomed, to the extent where she envisages some moving on from The Gap in future to seek other employment in community facilities or even moving into paid employment in other catering facilities.

She said:  “This event has been in recognition of the fantastic achievements that these people have made.  We are very grateful to Warwickshire College and the Heart of England for their input and for making this venture possible.

“But most of all, I would like to acknowledge the efforts of all of our service users.  They have put their heart and soul into learning their trade and have helped to create a vibrant atmosphere, not to mention some very tasty food, at The Gap.”

Ends

Media contact:  Richard Harkin 01926 414162

Picture shows from left:  Lisa Simeone, service user, Christine Powell, Gap support worker, Brenda Saunders, catering co-ordinator, Misan McFarland, Mayor of Warwick District Council, Warwickshire County Councillor Marion Haywood, Lisa Allison, service user

Link to WCC