“It gets us cooking together and we like to help,” say Cube Cooking College students

When Age UK Northamptonshire’s regular Day Centre Cook went on holiday, and the local charity found itself unexpectedly short staffed, students from Cube Cooking College, part of The Cube Disability Care Services, gamely stepped in to help.

“We need to serve around twenty lunches Monday to Friday, so the students’ offer of help at short notice got us out of a tight spot,” said Day Centre Co-ordinator Wendie Hutton.

Cube Cooking College is an adult day care provision that offers a blend of life skills and cooking education.  Lead Tutor Phil Brown and students Sam Ransley, Carmela Falcone and Marc Cornish were delighted to bring their culinary skills to The William and Patricia Venton Centre on Tuesday 16^th June.  Nineteen students from the Cube Cooking College helped to ensure that older people attending Age UK Northamptonshire’s Day Centre would not miss their usual freshly-cooked two-course lunch that week.

Catering student Sam said: “We all volunteered and I do like being here.  Cooking helps us to develop strong muscles.”  Lead Tutor Phil explained that as well as practicing and developing useful kitchen techniques, helping at the Day Centre also improves the students’ personal and social skills.  “Our students are of all ages and abilities.  Lifting trays of food and preparing vegetables helps them improve their manual dexterity and gain the confidence to do everyday tasks safely.”

Marc said: “Me and Sam did the Yorkshire puddings together.  We put them on the tray and Phil puts them in the oven.”

“It has been lovely having them here,” said Wendie.  “They’ve been so enthusiastic and friendly and our clients absolutely loved the sausage and mash on Monday.  Phil even cooked a jam sponge from scratch, which everyone said was delicious.  We are very much looking forward to the cottage pie on Wednesday.”

For more information contact Age UK Northamptonshire on 01604 611200 or visit www.ageuknorthants.org.uk.