Training and experience
Get support with getting into work
Are you keen to get into (or back into) work, but not sure how? Would you like to get some experience and training that could help open doors into a paid job in catering or hospitality?
We’ve developed several programmes to help local people learn new skills, gain qualifications and receive work experience and career coaching. Here are the opportunities we are currently offering.
Community Brigade programme
Once or twice a year, we recruit a group of twelve local people to form a Community Brigade. This programme lasts six months, and offers a combination of theory and practical classes in our kitchen, live work experience at local companies, and mentoring from the Cook for Good CEO.
Brigade members graduate with a Foundation Level Certificate in Food Safety, professional kitchen experience, and the ability to whip up some fantastic food, all of which are helping create pathways into employment. Some of our first cohort are now seeking to set up their own social businesses.
Register your interest
Volunteer programme
We have a team of community volunteers who support our work in the Pantry and at events. They initially sign up for a six-month programme, during which they are taught how to carry out the various roles and trained up in things like food hygiene and health and safety.
Throughout the programme, our volunteers get support from our Community Coordinator and other members of the team. At the end of the six months, they can renew for another six months, or be supported to move into a paid role, with us or elsewhere.
