Virtual lessons cook up new opportunities for young people

Online lessons have cooked up new opportunities and qualifications for young people thanks to the support of two local organisations during lockdown.

Cam Nesa and Milford Youth Matters got together to trial virtual cookery lessons for young people aged 16-25.

Cam Nesa paid for the ingredients which were then delivered to the doors of the young people.

Weekly classes were held online, with a tutor from Milford Youth Matters and a Youth Worker from Cam Nesa demonstrating from their own homes or Milford youth centre and young people following along at home.

Dee Day from Milford Youth Matters delivers a class online.

It was so successful that Milford Youth Matters then adopted the format to continue the classes to deliver a formal qualification in cooking, through Agored Cymru.

Four participants have recently completed the course – run weekly over eight weeks – and had the opportunity to obtain other qualifications such as Food Hygiene and Health and Safety at the same time.

All those that took part confirmed that the course helped their confidence, and had a positive impact on them.

One young person said: “Having the contact weekly from the youth workers and joining in with cooking which was made fun gave me something to look forward to each week.

“I learned to cook many different meals, on a budget, from scratch and gained some qualifications too.”

Working with both organisations has led to fantastic outcomes for the young people, with three going onto employment at Lamphey School and Bluestone, and the fourth going onto further training with PRP in Pembroke Dock.

Lynn Beachey, Routes to Opportunity Co-ordinator at Milford Youth Matters said: “This is a really good example of organisations working together during a very difficult period, to use innovative ways to reach young people during Covid.”

Fran Wisby of Cam Nesa added: “It was an enjoyable experience through these uncertain and difficult times, and I am extremely proud and privileged to have worked alongside such wonderful young people and another professional organisation who adopt the same person centred young person approach as ourselves.”

Milford Youth Matters are continuing to run the course for anyone aged 16-25 living in Milford and the surrounding areas, as part of their Independent Living programme.

For more information please call 01646 663137 or email LynnB.mym@outlook.com.

Cam Nesa is a £5.7m project supported by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government, which works with 16-24 year olds in West Wales by providing them with a range of tailored personal support and work-related opportunities.

The project is led by Pembrokeshire County Council and delivered in partnership with fellow local authorities.

For more details on Cam Nesa, email youthoutreach@pembrokeshire.gov.uk.