Marion's Kitchen
The Stepping Stones Opportunities Service has used the Community Centre to set up a lunchtime café on Mondays to Thursdays. This project has provided work placements for its clients, all of whom have learning disabilities.
Stepping Stones is part of the Prospects Charity whose mission is to create the environment and opportunity for those with a learning disability to experience a full life.
Prospects’ services are open to all with a learning disability, of any faith or none.
Marion House is situated in the Avenue, in Moordown and visitors to and residents of Marion House are welcomed. Marion’s kitchen is operated from the Community Centre.
The café service provides a safe working environment for people supported at Stepping Stones to gain work and catering experience, and the varied daily menu is a suitable opportunity to develop cookery skills and to become involved in a real work situation.
This Community Partnership between the Moordown Community Association and Stepping Stones has been very successful with both parties benefiting from the experience. The clients, who feel very at home in the Centre enjoy the advantage of lots of social interaction, and a boost to their confidence whilst they practice their work skills by taking orders, serving customers, waiting on tables and of course washing and clearing up!
Community Centre visitors have enjoyed being able to extend their visit by having hot, home cooked food served by Marion’s Kitchen before or after their club or educational visit. Having a lunch club on most days of the week gives some of our visitors (many of whom live alone) the chance to eat in the company of a friend or acquaintance; thus extending their visit to the Centre. Marion’s kitchen has now gained a great reputation for serving splendid buffets and some activities now regularly plan to have end of term ‘get togethers’.
If you are interested in using one of the Prospect services, working for prospects and volunteering please contact the Bournemouth Services Local Manager.
Joe Halfpenny
01202 521985