NOV 2010 - Local catering project needs you
Breaking news - 26 November 2010Thanks to everyone who voted, Fresh Start has won £50,000. |
FRESH START, a pioneering catering project run by Hart 
Neighbourhood Centre in partnership with Sentinel, has reached the final of the People’s Millions competition and will be featured on ITV Meridian on November 24.
The innovative project will be pitted in the final against a primary school from Portsmouth. If Fresh Start wins the most votes it will get a £50,000 grant from lottery funds.
Neighbourhood Centre manager Cheryl Edwards is delighted with the news, and said: “This is probably the first time there has been a finalist from Hart – now we need all of our friends, supporters and viewers from the district to vote for us on the day.”
Fresh Start is for people who are trying to find work. Every week they go to a Sentinel sheltered housing scheme where they prepare lunches for both residents and visitors under the watchful eye of expert chefs.
At present a dozen trainees produce lunches on Mondays and Fridays at Sentinel’s Rosefield Court sheltered housing complex in Hartley Wintney. The plan is to provide hot meals for all 10 Sentinel sheltered schemes across north Hampshire.
Sentinel Executive Director Bill Flood added: “We got involved in this because it not only provides valuable training for those looking for work, but also gives older people a chance to socialise while enjoying a hot meal. We now need to make sure this money is invested in north Hampshire to provide more job opportunities during these tough times.”
If the scheme wins the grant will be used to buy a refrigerated van and essential equipment.
The aim is to teach 50 vulnerable young people and adults how to prepare first class meals thus making them more employable.
As well as supplying sheltered housing complexes it would also be possible to provide catering for community groups and charities.
Cheryl concluded: “This is transforming the lives of our learners. The residents pay just £4 and they love the meals.”
To find out more visit the People's Millions website - the telephone number for people to vote will be on the site from 9am on November 24.
