Igniting Young Minds
Introduction to Culinary, Sustainability, Food Harvesting and Digital Marketing Skills for City Heights E-ACT Academy Students
A Hands-On Experience in Hospitality at Brockwell Greenhouse
City Heights E-ACT Academy students participated in a week-long WEX experience at the beautiful Brockwell Greenhouses, cooking with Eat Club, attending a sustainability workshop with Southstainable, visiting Loughborough Farm, and rounding up with a digital marketing session with agency John Doe.
For the first three days, they prepared a two-course meal for themselves and the staff, developing their culinary skills and exploring a career in hospitality with Chef Laura. The menus showcased a delightful array of dishes, including mushroom lasagna and a broccolini stem and cucumber salad tossed in ricotta, followed by white chocolate chip cookies for dessert. Another menu featured cauliflower, eggplant, and pepper fritters, an apple and carrot salad, and a banana chocolate vegan cake as a sweet finale.
“It’s inspiring to see @spiralskill youth develop their culinary skills and explore careers in hospitality!”
While spending their time in a professional kitchen, the students were not just observers; they were active participants.
They followed strict hygiene and safety procedures, learned essential culinary techniques such as chopping, slicing, folding, and whisking, and honed their ability for precision in weighing and measuring ingredients.
This hands-on experience enhanced their culinary skills and allowed them to express their creativity in dessert decoration and plating for service.
Recycling with Southstainable
On the fourth day, the students delved into sustainability through an engaging workshop led by Elizabeth and Marco from Southstainable.
Their insights on recycling materials highlighted its significance and instilled a profound sense of responsibility in the students.
This understanding of recycling's intricacies empowered them with practical knowledge, such as how to recycle materials effectively and a solid commitment to preserving our planet's delicate ecosystem.
“We loved spending time with the City Heights E-ACT Academy students; they were engaged but most of all very vocal! We had a lot of great conversations about recycling and insight into what sustainability really means to young South Londoners. I really feel we were able to learn from each other!”
Hands-On Learning at Loughborough Farm
At Loughborough Farm, they were immersed in the detailed cultivation processes under Alice's guidance. Exploring the nuances of growth and witnessing the intricate water systems in action, they gained a deeper appreciation for nature's interconnectedness.
The farm's charming café, intricately woven into its agricultural tapestry, gave a unique opportunity to participate in the farm-to-table experience. As they harvested vegetables for the café's lunch menu, they experienced the rewards of sustainable agriculture.
The visit also presented prospects for future involvement. The students were offered the opportunity to undertake work experience at the café, which would further their understanding of sustainable food practices.
The prospect of volunteering at the farm sparked keen interest among some of the students, underscoring their desire to actively contribute to the community's sustainability initiatives.
Harnessing Digital Potential
For the final day, Spiral Skills collaborated with John Doe Workshops to host an introductory digital marketing workshop. Focusing on nurturing young people's talents, the workshop aimed to provide foundational knowledge and practical skills in digital marketing.
“So proud of the work we’ve been doing with Spiral Skills CIC over the last few years to help promote and support access to careers in the creative industries to South London’s brilliant young talent. Great work by Olivia Thwaites Joe Shaw and Lily Nelson”
Led by John Doe experts and facilitated by Spiral Skills youth leaders, the workshop began with an engaging presentation on the basics of digital marketing, covering topics such as social media marketing, content creation, and online advertising.
The students were then immersed in interactive activities designed to reinforce concepts and develop practical skills. Through guided exercises, they gained hands-on experience creating social media content, designing simple digital campaigns, and analysing basic marketing metrics.
“Always such a memorable time working with the Spiral Skills CIC team and the fantastic students we have the privilege of meeting. 💚 ”
By the end of the workshop, participants had gained a solid understanding of digital marketing fundamentals and acquired practical skills applicable to real-world scenarios. They left feeling inspired and confident in their ability to navigate the digital landscape and harness its potential for personal and professional endeavours.
“Such a valuable and enjoyable day - very happy to be a part of our partnership with Spiral Skills CIC 👏 ✨”
“Our team worked with GCSE level students, introducing them to the world of PR and Social Media, explaining our roll in comms and what we do on a day-to-day basis. We set the students a social media brief, supporting them in creating a campaign content plan and had the privilege of hearing so many fantastic ideas from the group.”
Success and Impact of the City Heights E-ACT Academy WEX Programme
The City Heights E-ACT Academy WEX Programme has had a profound impact on its participants, feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with young people rating their week 8/10. Remarkably, 100% of participants felt they developed skills that will help them in their future, and 91% believed the work placements would help them achieve their career goals.
Many expressed excitement about applying their knowledge to future projects and career goals. The programme ignited their passions and provided a valuable stepping stone for their journey into the working world.
Collaborations between Spiral Skills and WEX partners like EatClub, Southstainable, Loughborough Farm and John Doe exemplify the power of targeted employability initiatives in empowering young individuals and fostering their professional growth. By equipping them with essential skills and work-based experiences, we can lay the groundwork for future success and open doors to new opportunities.
Work experience is not just a step but a crucial foundation for a successful career journey. We're dedicated to crafting meaningful experiences through collaborations with our extensive employer network, providing invaluable insights and workplace exposure for young individuals. Our role is to connect educators and employers, making it seamless for young people to secure placements. These range from one-day cohort trips to week-long placements tailored to individual interests. If you're an inclusive employer committed to expanding access to your industry, become part of our employer network below. Let's shape the future together! Join our employer network.
