Lifeskills Café: Cooking and Communication for Enhanced Indpendence (ACE)

This course is aimed at adults with additional needs and/or disabilities and offers a unique and beneficial educational and personal development experience.  This course is designed to help you have a sense of belonging and to develop practical real-world skills in a nurturing and friendly environment. You will spend one day helping to run our Novel Bite Cafe based in Winsford Library and another day at our Winsford campus covering a wide range of exciting and worthwhile topics.

This cafe and classroom-based course combines the best of both worlds. The design of the course fosters social interaction making it ideal to practice social skills in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. Individuals with additional needs can feel a sense of belonging whilst benefiting from routine and structure with predictable daily routines in the cafe with set tasks and responsibilities which reduces anxiety. The classroom-based learning enhances the overall experience and will provide structure and ample opportunities for trips and visits in the local area and beyond whilst discovering and learning about a wide range of relevant topics.

This is a multi-sensory learning experience where you will learn about practical skills development that can be used at home with family or in supported living, communication, teamwork, resilience, problem solving, being a part of the community, reading and writing, basic numeracy and ICT and many more. In addition, you will complete an accredited entry level certificate in Hospitality and Catering bringing together all the amazing practical skills you are learning in the Novel Bite Cafe.

Improved practical skills at home and in the community or You can progress on to a higher level having completed Entry 3 and there are opportunities to gain further skills on the Adult Community Learning programmes.

We have guest speakers from industry throughout the year and will take part in work place visits to a variety of employers and working environments.

We have a team of staff dedicated to providing learning support if required, as well as a Welfare Team that is on hand to offer guidance, support and help when needed. Additionally, eligible students can access a wide range of finance and funding support to help them during their time at college.

Click here for learning support: https://wvr.ac.uk/college-life/learning-support

Click here for finance support: https://wvr.ac.uk/college-life/financial-support

All our tutors have a wealth of teaching experience and are passionate about their subjects and they want to share this with you so that you can reach your full potential. Our intent for you as a learner this year is to enjoy, experience and engage. We aim to provide a stimulating learning environment here at Warrington and Vale Royal College.

You do not need any formal qualifications, but you need to be in receipt of Universal Credit, Employment Support Allowance (WRAG) and / or Job Seekers Allowance.

For learners claiming UC, ESA (WRAG) and/or JSA there will be plenty of opportunity on the course to conduct job searches, complete application forms and prepare for interviews in order to satisfy your welfare obligations if this is what is required.

For information on funding contact Learner Services on 01925 494400 or email learner.services@wvr.ac.uk

You will access a range of trips throughout the year that supplement your classroom learning, there may be a cost attached to some of these trips and you will be informed of this at the beginning of the year, however, we always do our best to keep costs to a minimum.