News: Students celebrate social enterprise café success
Visitors to Ulley Country Park in Rotherham are enjoying tasty homemade treats, thanks to a pioneering social enterprise that is helping students with special educational needs and disabilities to prepare for life after college.
Launched last June, the ROC Café was developed through a unique collaboration between Ulley Country Park and Rotherham Opportunities College. Operated by students with physical and learning disabilities and/or autism under the watchful eye of experienced catering co-ordinator, Gaynor Cooper, the café operates every Tuesday and Thursday.
The ROC Café has already helped more than 40 students to develop practical life skills, with the underlying aim of helping them to live as independently as possible in adulthood, as well as securing future employment within the hospitality industry.
Working under supervision, students spend time serving customers, preparing food, as well as learning about customer service.
Many of the tasty snacks and treats sold in the ROC Café are prepared by students in college, using locally sourced meat, fruit and vegetables and bread.
To date, the café has received rave reviews from visitors to the park, as well as achieving a five-star food hygiene rating, the highest available.
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Dr Perdita Mousely, Principal, Rotherham Opportunities College, said: “Many of our students look forward to spending time in the café, and for many it is one of the highlights of the college week. Our mission at Rotherham Opportunities College is to equip our learners with the vital skills to enjoy rich and fulfilling lives in adulthood, and providing work experience in a safe, welcoming environment has helped many of our learners go on to secure jobs in the hospitality industry after successfully completing their studies. The café is one of a number of activities we deliver in college to help our students to feel connected to the local community.
"Time spent working in the café helps our students to develop important life skills, including how to communicate effectively, preparing food safely and learning about handling money. The café also forms an important part of our commitment towards investing in the local community. Through our collaborations with local businesses, visitors are able to enjoy a wide range of tasty, home-cooked produce, and it’s been truly heart-warming to hear the positive feedback we’ve received from visitors.”
Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Cllr Victoria Cusworth said: “We want Rotherham to be a great place to grow up, where all children and young people are safe, valued, able to enjoy their lives, achieve their aspirations and get the best possible start in life.
“We’re pleased to welcome the students in the café, and we can see the positive impact it has had on the visitor experience at Ulley Country Park. Taking part has helped students to achieve a greater sense of independence and personal growth by developing their skills as they prepare for adulthood.”
Based in Rotherham town centre, Rotherham Opportunities College is an independent specialist college that supports young adults aged 16-25 who have learning disabilities and/or autism.
The college provides tailored education programmes, which take a holistic approach towards understanding the individual needs of each student, helping them to develop the vital skills needed to live independently, secure employment and build rich and fulfilling lives during adulthood.
Rotherham Opportunities College website
Images: Rotherham Opportunities College
Launched last June, the ROC Café was developed through a unique collaboration between Ulley Country Park and Rotherham Opportunities College. Operated by students with physical and learning disabilities and/or autism under the watchful eye of experienced catering co-ordinator, Gaynor Cooper, the café operates every Tuesday and Thursday.
The ROC Café has already helped more than 40 students to develop practical life skills, with the underlying aim of helping them to live as independently as possible in adulthood, as well as securing future employment within the hospitality industry.
Working under supervision, students spend time serving customers, preparing food, as well as learning about customer service.
Many of the tasty snacks and treats sold in the ROC Café are prepared by students in college, using locally sourced meat, fruit and vegetables and bread.
To date, the café has received rave reviews from visitors to the park, as well as achieving a five-star food hygiene rating, the highest available.
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Dr Perdita Mousely, Principal, Rotherham Opportunities College, said: “Many of our students look forward to spending time in the café, and for many it is one of the highlights of the college week. Our mission at Rotherham Opportunities College is to equip our learners with the vital skills to enjoy rich and fulfilling lives in adulthood, and providing work experience in a safe, welcoming environment has helped many of our learners go on to secure jobs in the hospitality industry after successfully completing their studies. The café is one of a number of activities we deliver in college to help our students to feel connected to the local community.
"Time spent working in the café helps our students to develop important life skills, including how to communicate effectively, preparing food safely and learning about handling money. The café also forms an important part of our commitment towards investing in the local community. Through our collaborations with local businesses, visitors are able to enjoy a wide range of tasty, home-cooked produce, and it’s been truly heart-warming to hear the positive feedback we’ve received from visitors.”
“We’re pleased to welcome the students in the café, and we can see the positive impact it has had on the visitor experience at Ulley Country Park. Taking part has helped students to achieve a greater sense of independence and personal growth by developing their skills as they prepare for adulthood.”
Based in Rotherham town centre, Rotherham Opportunities College is an independent specialist college that supports young adults aged 16-25 who have learning disabilities and/or autism.
The college provides tailored education programmes, which take a holistic approach towards understanding the individual needs of each student, helping them to develop the vital skills needed to live independently, secure employment and build rich and fulfilling lives during adulthood.
Rotherham Opportunities College website
Images: Rotherham Opportunities College
5 comments:
A great story. However, it would be better if Ulley Country Park’s address was Rotherham and not still “…Aughton, SHEFFIELD, S26…”. Rotherham Metropolitan Borough has been in existence 51 years today (and Royal Mail is no longer a government body, rather owned by a Czech). So much for the council’s inclusion and “Rotherham Proud” motifs…
Agree, the Czech takeover however still hasn’t happened
#firstworldproblem
#firstworldproblem Prig
Yes, as pointless as your contribution.
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