The Clink: Helen's story - In her own words

Training at The Clink gave me the real working environment knowledge and experience to complete my studies and achieve success in my NVQ Level 2 in Professional Cookery, building on the skills and knowledge I had already achieved at Level 1.

Moreover, the experience I gained, the high standards instilled into me by Kerry and the imagination and confidence I gained from being in the kitchen will stay with me for the rest of my career.

Since graduating from The Clink, I have successfully achieved a NVQ Level 3 in Professional Cookery at College and every single day I would say that I have used or built on the knowledge and values gained initially from The Clink. Indeed, because a part of my qualification has involved supervising students at a lower level, I am in turn passing that knowledge and those standards down the line. I have also been successful in gaining employment as a chef de partie at a Country Club, Hotel and Spa in Lancashire where I run the pastry and larder sections and am thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to utilise and build on my training at The Clink.

I plan to continue my training and commence study in the autumn with an NVQ Level 3 in Patisserie and Confectionery. By undertaking a teaching qualification I will be able to teach others in a couple of years, once I have qualified as a teacher and gained more industry experience.

A huge benefit of my training with The Clink, aside from the culinary aspects, has been the ongoing support of my support worker and mentor. She has helped with everything I have needed, from organising college courses, obtaining tools and sourcing equipment to being a friendly, listening ear when required and a valuable source of information on anything and everything! It has been a massive comfort to have her on my side throughout some very challenging and difficult times.

This is a case study to accompany our blog preview from cheif executive Chris Moore.

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