Sawtell Meals on Wheels and ETC helping skill youth

A partnership between Sawtell Meals on Wheels and ETC has seen young people requiring extra support to transition between school and the workforce gain valuable work experience in an industrial kitchen over the past 18 months.

ETC’s Transition to Work clients Wade Stroud, Jordan Taggart and Chloe Godbold have been volunteering at Sawtell Meals on Wheels one day a week this year to gain hospitality skills and on-the-job training to prepare them for the workforce.

ETC’s Transition to Work Coordinator Kasey Morrison said the partnership with Sawtell Meals on Wheels was providing a valuable opportunity for the young people.

“It’s really exciting for our clients to get some hands on experience in the kitchen and to see their confidence and skills grow over the past year has been fantastic,” Ms Morrison said.

“The team has been helping prepare food for Meals on Wheels clients, however more recently they have also been cooking food that they like to eat and have been able to take it home and share with their families.

“The goal is to hopefully get them to a point where they will be able to pick up paid work in the hospitality sector.”

Sawtell Meals on Wheels Manager Leanne Russell said the young people would be preparing morning tea for an Open Day next Thursday, 20 June from 10am and encouraged the community to come along.

“We are having an Open Day to celebrate the completion of our recent renovations, including a new deck, and to recognise the talents of ETC’s volunteer job seekers,” Ms Russell said.

“Sawtell Meals on Wheels is committed to providing food for the frail, elderly and disabled people in their homes. We are also active with other service providers in the community and are pleased to be working with ETC.

“We currently have partnerships with 9 cafes in the local CBD area as part of the Out & About Program which encourages our seniors to be more socially active and take advantage of buying a meal at a subsidised rate from the participating cafes.

“Perhaps Wade, Jordan or Chloe may be fortunate enough to get work at one of these cafes in the future.

“In the meantime, they are doing a wonderful job for us and we are looking into the possibility of opening Sawtell Meals on Wheels to the public on a more regular basis in the future which would give the young people even more valuable work experience.”

If you are interested in attending the Sawtell Meals on Wheels Open Day at 25 Elizabeth Street, Sawtell, on Thursday 20 June, RSVP to Leanne at Sawtell Meals on (02) 6653 3298 by Monday 17 June.

The morning tea is free; however people can make a donation if they wish.