Providence Row’s Catering Trainee Scheme has been named runner up at this year’s London Homeless Award 2015 in memory of Andy Ludlow receiving a prize of £15,000.
The awards recognise innovative and effective work that make a difference for homeless people.
The five-year-old Catering Trainee Scheme offers accredited training for homeless and vulnerably housed people. Unlike many others, the scheme welcomes rough sleepers who are currently experiencing mental health or substance misuse issues. Of the 56 people who enrolled on the scheme last year, 34 completed, 11 have since accessed further training and 12 found gainful employment.
Trainees receive specialist one-to-one and group work to reduce substance misuse, improve mental health and move towards employment while completing their training at Providence Row’s 5 star hygiene rated kitchen. For many of Providence Row’s clients the scheme can be a turning point, as they finally gain the support they need to get back into education, training and employment.
Speaking about the award, Pam Orchard, Providence Row’s CEO said: “We are absolutely delighted to have our work acknowledged with this prestigious award. It truly is a testament to the hard work of our staff, the fantastic trainees we work with and supporting companies. We will use the prize fund to invest in expanding our training and employability programmes further, in order to help more of our clients back into work.”
The London Homelessness Awards are funded by the London Housing Foundation, Shelter, the Mayor of London and the London boroughs.
