Following a public vote, Petroc Supported Learning has been chosen as a winner of our Well Built Community Fund and now has £1,000 to spend at our Barnstaple branch to update its kitchen area.
Petroc Supported Learning currently works with 223 young people with additional needs. The students enjoy a variety of programmes which develop skills to support a more independent life. These include domestic, career and practical skills, as well as literacy and numeracy skills. Many progress into employment and voluntary positions in the local area.
The department has two kitchens which students use daily, but due to their age, they are in desperate need of refurbishment and this is where the £1,000 donation will be used.
Mark Beales, Faculty Manager at Petroc Supported Learning, commented: "Our kitchen areas are a vital part of the ongoing support our students receive. As well as prepping and cooking their food, they complete the washing-up and laundering of the items they use.
"What our students learn with us helps build confidence and enables them to continue to make healthy food choices and prepare their own meals at home. The current kitchens are over 10-years-old, and we're looking forward to being able to update the areas, which our students will be fully involved with. Thank you to everyone who voted for us and to RGB for its donation."
Lee Kift, Branch Manager at RGB Barnstaple, visited the kitchen areas and met the students who use them. He added:
"Congratulations to Petroc Supported Learning. It was great to visit and hear some of the ideas the students have. We're looking forward to helping the team to renovate the kitchen and revisiting to see how the Community Fund donation has helped transform the area."
Further information about Petroc Supported Learning can be found by visiting https://www.petroc.ac.uk/courses-search/looking-for-supported-learning.