Hatch-ed in Haverfordwest – a snack bar run by young people with additional learning needs

•   The Hatch a result of Dragons’ Den style pitch to Action for Children

• Haverfordwest Magistrates Court to host unique snack bar

Enterprising staff from Action for Children’s Pembrokeshire services have successfully bid for funding from the charity to open a snack bar in Haverfordwest Magistrates Court that will be run by young volunteers with additional learning needs and officially launched on the 21st September.

The Hatch will serve sandwiches, drinks and snacks to local organisations and members of the public at the court after pitching the idea to a Dragons’ Den style panel in Glasgow last year. Pembrokeshire Council have backed the initiative and Children in Need have also supported the project with £10,000 a year over 3 years with Bluestone Wales holiday company contributing £5,000, Health and Safety training and consulting advice.

The Hatch launched alongside another project, Women & Girls Together that offers support to vulnerable girls and women aged 12 to 21 years to support them make better choices, stay safe and raise aspirations.

Charlotte Phillips, service coordinator for Action for Children in Pembrokeshire, said: ‘It can be difficult for young people we support after they leave school as there’s a lack of opportunities for them to develop and grow. The Hatch offers volunteering positions and the chance to develop social and customer care skills, as well as budgeting, food hygiene and barista skills. In the longer term, the aim is for young people to build relationships with local suppliers and customers and open up career opportunities as a result.’

Young people will be able to volunteer for as little as a few hours, up to five days a week depending on their needs. The Hatch will also be able to support up to three young people, for one day a week from Portfield School, which supports young people with additional needs as well as students from Pembrokeshire College and young adult carers, who were previously supported by, or currently accessing, Action for Children services.

A student from Portfield School, Charlotte (17) from Pembroke Dock, liked the idea of volunteering at The Hatch. She said: ‘I like the idea a lot and I think it would be a good experience. You know you’re helping people and I’d learn new skills especially as there would be a lot people needing serving. It’d be great practice communicating with customers, taking orders and dealing with money.’

Charlotte Phillips added: ‘We’re delighted that Action for Children has backed our idea so enthusiastically. It’s refreshing and innovative for an organisation to encourage ideas from their own services and this also brought Children in Need, Bluestone Wales and Pembrokeshire Council on board which we’re really grateful for. We just want to get started and deliver this exciting project for the young people in our communities who need it most.’