Berwick Disability Hub Kitchen cooks up new skills for life and work after Bernicia Foundation Grant

Border Links received the grant towards the costs of a new kitchen at its Disability Hub in Berwick where it will provide training for adults with learning disabilities to cook and work safely in a kitchen, helping them to prepare nourishing, healthy meals and understand the importance of a good diet.

A number of people are expected to take part in evening training sessions where they will learn to cook a basic meal together and develop essential skills in food hygiene, budgeting and healthy eating. Border Links will also provide opportunities for participants to earn formal qualifications appropriate for adults with learning disabilities that could help them secure employment in the catering industry.

The Disability Hub was designed in consultation with Border Links members and their families, who visited the site, gave feedback to the architect and helped to choose furniture, fixtures and fittings.

Melanie Deans, Director of Border Links, explained the importance of the training sessions: “Parents, carers and health professionals have told us they urgently need more support in the Berwick area to relieve carer stress and enable adults with learning disabilities to develop essential skills to help them in their everyday lives and play a part in their local community.

“We worked closely with our members and their families to design a Disability Hub that would provide practical support and social interaction for those with learning disabilities, while giving vital respite to parents and carers.

“The grant from Bernicia Foundation has allowed us to build a professional kitchen where our members can not only develop core life skills but have the opportunity to gain qualifications to get into employment.”

Border Links was founded in 2006 and runs 18 weekly groups across Berwick, Amble, Cornhill-on-Tweed, Duns and Kelso that support 60 adults with learning disabilities. It runs a monthly disco, which provides a social outlet for adults with disabilities and an opportunity for parents and carers to support each other. Its members also manage allotments in Amble and Berwick.

Jenny Allinson, Director of Bernicia Foundation, said: “Border Links provides vital support for adults with learning disabilities in our communities. The Disability Hub is an exciting extension of its services that will support participants to develop the skills to live independently and the professional qualifications to seek employment in the catering industry.

“This project is a perfect example of how we can increase economic and social inclusion by removing barriers to employment, training and volunteering, supporting people to make friends and helping them build essential skills for life and work.”

Bernicia Foundation offers Inclusion Grants of up to £10,000 to voluntary/community groups, registered charities and social enterprises that deliver projects to tackle economic and social exclusion, and Inspiration Grants of up to £1,000 for young people, aged 24 years and under, who are actively working towards personal goals.

The next round of funding opens for applications on Thursday 7th November 2024. The deadline for applications is midnight on Thursday 19th December 2024.