Nine Hospitality & Catering students have gained valuable workplace skills at our local community centre, The Sunlight Centre.
JJ Keevey, curriculum manager for Hospitality & Catering, said “This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain essential workplace skills and to work in collaboration with the local community.
It is evident how the students have improved on their programme as a result, as they are not only improving their culinary skills, but also their interpersonal, social and communication skills. They’re communicating with others on a professional level, and becoming more mature through the experience.”
The Sunlight Centre in Gillingham is a community-owned and managed charity offering the Wellbeing Café and a local radio station, as well as gardening, social and dementia support groups.
Gina Carpenter, volunteer manager of The Sunlight Centre, said “The Sunlight Centre aims to improve health and wellbeing in the community and bring people together, with our café at the heart of the centre.
MidKent College Hospitality & Catering students not only work in the kitchen preparing meals, but also on front of house serving our customers. They are improving on their communication and maths skills, as well as building their confidence.
All of the students volunteering have made significant progress since starting at the Sunlight Centre, with one being able to support another volunteer after just one day with us!”
Hospitality & Catering student Marcus said “I enjoy working with Gina and the placement has helped my confidence. I am still undecided about what I’d like to do next year, but the Sunlight Centre has made me more likely to apply for Level 3 in Hospitality & Catering at the College.”
Thank you to The Sunlight Centre for your support of our students! You can find out about their work in the community here.
If you’d like to offer a work experience placement to any of our students, please send us an
