Outside the Box (OTB) recently celebrated the success of the first group of students to complete their Skills+ Catering & Customer Service course.
A special afternoon tea event showcased the new skills developed by course participants, all adults with a learning disability and/or autism. Friends and family of the group, together with staff and volunteers at the charity, gathered to enjoy an impressive spread of coffee, tea and delicious cakes, prepared by and served out by the group.
Over the first 12 weeks of the Skills+ course, the students developed their knowledge and skills in many different aspects of catering, food hygiene, and customer service, using the recently refurbished and newly equipped OTB training kitchen. At the event all students were presented with an OTB certificate in recognition of their achievements.
Mark Ball and Roisin Prior, who were part of the course and the event, reflected on their experiences. Mark shared, "It was great!" with Roisin adding, "I made cakes and served my Mum, which made me feel happy." Roisin’s Mum, Celine Prior commented that, "Well done everyone! I had a lovely afternoon and the cakes were delicious."
Lucy Heap, a proud parent of one of the students, shared:
"We really enjoyed coming for our afternoon tea (eat as much cake as you can challenge!). It was clear that the members were all very keen to take orders and share their baking with us.”
The Skills+ Course, delivered by tutor Richard Newall, will continue into next year with both existing and new students expanding their catering and customer service skills. Emma Rogerson, OTB’s Services Manager, commented that:
"The success of the first part of the course has been incredibly rewarding and has shown how much can be achieved by students in a supportive and empowering environment. It has been great to see members benefitting from our upgraded training kitchen and the guidance of a highly experienced, qualified tutor. We very much look forward to seeing how much more can be accomplished and celebrated with this in future.”
A few places remain open on the Skills+ course, which runs weekly on a Tuesday afternoon at Outside the Box in Ilkley. If you or someone you know with a learning disability could benefit from gaining practical skills in catering and customer service in an inclusive and supportive setting, please contact Emma Rogerson at emmar.outsidethebox@gmail.com.
Birthday card appeal launched for Ilkley woman turning 106
Ilkley Fire Station welcomes hundreds for annual open day
Ilkley MP says lessons must be learned from A65 roadworks
Thrill-seekers' skydive raises £5,700 for children's charity
Ilkley nursing home opens new landscaped garden
Ilkley Half Marathon raises more than £55,000 for local good causes
Yorkshire children invited to nominate their parents to be 'slimed' on CBBC
Yorkshire Water completes A65 work two weeks early
Sir Gareth Southgate among sporting stars heading to Ilkley golf event
Ilkley wine merchant to open third venue in Haworth
Ilkley MP demands answers from Royal Mail over postal delays
Bard in the Yard returns to Ilkley Manor House this August
Community comes together in Ilkley to address young men's mental health
Record-breaking Ilkley Open serves up more than 1,100 matches
Ilkley Playhouse unveils packed season of drama, comedy, music and live entertainment
GALLERY: Thousands celebrate Yorkshire Day in Ilkley
MP criticises lack of progress on Ilkley roadworks as Yorkshire Water extends working hours
Right at Home celebrates official opening of new office
The Little Calf offer free play sessions
Ilkley Civic Society launches search for the town's best building and conservation projects
