Project is student's recipe for success

Christopher Scott, a Catcote Academy student, is the first to be supported by Hartlepool Borough Council in the study programme, where he is learning new skills by preparing lunches, buffets and meals for a range of catering functions and events.

Hartlepool Borough Council function catering cook, Alex Docherty, who has supported the 23 year-old, said: “Christopher has become an integral part of the team and his enthusiasm to learn new skills and recipes has made him really popular with both staff and customers.”

The study programme is one of a range of Supported Internships where the academy links up with employers to give students with special educational needs the chance to prepare for full time employment.

Christopher, said: “I am really enjoying my new role. It is going really well and I am enjoying preparing food from scratch to a very high standard.”

His role, which started in September, has included cooking and preparing lunches and buffets for small and large functions and utilising his new found talent in baking.

Carole Thelwell, facilities management officer at Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “We are delighted to be the first in Hartlepool Borough Council to offer an opportunity to a student to extend their skills as part of the study programme.

“Christopher is a wonderful asset to our team and he is so keen to learn and develop a range of catering skills which we hope will serve him well in the future.”

Supported Internships are for young people aged 16-24 with a learning difficulty assessment or education, health and care plan. They provide a personalised and flexible study programme tailored to meet individual needs and a chance to get a paid job when they finish.

Catcote Academy would be pleased to hear from any employers who would like to find out more about how they could support young people with learning difficulties into employment.

For further information, contact Jackie McGarry, Careers and Employment Co-ordinator on (01429) 264036.