AnnuAl Review 2010 - Manor Gardens

Manor GardensManorGardens CaféThe Manor Gardens Caféis a social hub for the localcommunity that aims to:• Promote healthy eating• Provide fresh, healthyaffordable and tasty meals• Provide volunteer and trainingopportunities in a supportiveenvironment• Work towards becominga sustainable socialenterprise and anaccredited training centre.08In November 2009 a Café DevelopmentManager was recruited to review theCafé operations and work towards itbecoming a sustainable social enterprise.A number of areas for change wereidentified and an action plan developedfor the staff team to work towards.In January 2010 the staff team wasrestructured to reflect the operationalneeds, whilst considering efficiencyand financial constraints. Three FutureJobs funded staff were recruited andtrained within the Café. The FutureJobs funded staff are made up of longterm unemployed 18 -24 year olds.The Café provided experience, skillsand training to support them with theirfuture career aspirations. Unfortunately,funding has now ended for this scheme.The Café continues to have strong linkswith the Community Kitchens Project(CKP). Working with the CKP helpspromote the healthy eating message.During the year the Café had a total of17 volunteers. They were a valued andvaluable part of the Café team; gainingskills and confidence helping with foodpreparation, baking, serving customers,tidying and washing up. A number ofthe volunteers have passed the CIEHlevel 2 Award in Food Safety. Thisyear, we identified a need to offer thelower level CIEH level 1 qualificationto meet the learning needs of some ofour volunteers. As Manor Gardens is aregistered training centre we ensuredthe CIEH level 1 qualification has beenmade available.