Young people thrive working at the Hatch

Young volunteers with additional learning needs are thriving at Action for Children’s Hatch snack bar at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court. Volunteers report feeling more confident due to learning new skills and dealing with the public.

Portfield School in Haverfordwest provides education for pupils with statements of special educational needs (SEN) aged between three and 19 years. Charlotte and Daniel, students at the school, have been volunteering once a week since the beginning of the year.

 

 Charlotte, (17) said: ‘I wanted to learn new skills and it’s been really good. I use the till and serve the public and it’s great to have happy customers enjoying the food and coffee. I feel more confident after working here.’

Daniel, (17) said: ‘I’ve liked everything about it and I’ve learned good maths skills and preparing food which I’ve really enjoyed. I’ve also really liked using the till and dealing with customers and I’d really like to take what I’ve learnt into jobs when I leave school.’

The Hatch serves 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 at Action for Children. 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.

Caroline Ball, Deputy Head at Portfield School, said: ‘Charlotte and Daniel really enjoy the experience and look forward to it. Their confidence and communication skills have improved and their skills with money handling and using the digital till have been good for their confidence and an opportunity to practise important skills.

‘Dealing with the public has also been vitally important, it’s given them self-assurance and a different perspective. You can do role plays and work in the classroom but actually coming out on work experience, preparing food for the general public and using the professional coffee machine, dealing with stock control and customer service is brilliant.’

Young people volunteer for as little as a few hours or 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

Angharad Murray, young person’s practitioner at the Hatch said: ‘Charlotte and Daniel have responded really well and are thriving. Watching them grow in confidence has been very satisfying and they’ve taken every aspect of this work in their stride. This work experience will stand them in good stead as they approach leaving school. It’s a genuine pleasure working with the pair of them.’


For further media information please contact Alastair Love, media officer at Action for Children, on 02920 347068 / 07872 675688 / alastair.love@actionforchildren.org.uk

Out–of–hours enquiries should be directed to the duty press officer on 07802 806679/ media.team@actionforchildren.org.uk