Worcestershire college students cooked up a storm in their brand-new kitchen facilities as they hosted the first intergenerational luncheon in three years.
Students from Pershore College partnered with the Rotary Club of Evesham to host 12 local elderly residents for their Bridging Generations event in the college’s newly-refurbished training kitchen.
Bridging the Generations is a student-led programme of events connecting young students with elderly members of the local community, through gaining experience in cooking and customer services, students are often able to find part-time work, gaining further qualifications and experience in the work place.
The event was the first face-to-face edition of the project since the beginning of the COVID pandemic and follows on from four successful years of events with a seasonal Easter and Christmas afternoon tea takeaway service operating during the pandemic.
The afternoon event was hosted by 14 students on the supported learning and health and social care courses, who organised a delicious lunch, venue decoration and entertainment.
During the event, guests were treated to a home-cooked meal of leek and potato soup with homemade bread rolls and chocolate brownies, with the menu devised, cooked and served by the seven supported learning students, and tea, coffee and biscuits served by the seven health and social care students.
The Bridging Generations project supports the students’ development, gaining real-life experience of course modules which are focused on developing their independent living and employability skills, with opportunities to socialise with the local community.
Hein van der Steen, secretary of the Rotary Club of Evesham, said “It was a lovely afternoon returning for our monthly Bridging Generations event following a gap of three years.
“We were hosted in a new location at Pershore College with a new kitchen and dining area that the guests really enjoyed, it was great to see interactions between the visitors and students, who cooked up a delicious lunch and entertained us with a quiz.
“The event supports both students’ courses and fosters cross-generational connection and conversation in the community. It was a delightful afternoon for all involved and I know the visitors are all looking forward to the next event.”
Sarah Mackins, tutor at Evesham College, said: “It was great working with the Rotary Club to welcome back members of the local community for a wonderful afternoon meal as part of our Bridging Generations project.
“This was the project’s first lunch in our new kitchen following a move to Pershore College and all of the students were fabulous and a joy to work with.
“It was great to see their confidence and skills grow during the afternoon, with the event supporting their learning whilst also having a positive impact on the community.
“We are looking forward to another Bridging Generations lunch very soon and are happy that the successful completion of our new training kitchen will enable us to offer even more training opportunities to our students.”
Worcestershire students cook up a storm in new kitchen facilities for community lunch initiative
