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

This unique course is aimed at adults who have special education needs and/or disabilities and want to have fun, learn new skills, and help run a local café in the heart of Winsford. You will also be able to develop independence by learning practical life skills, digital skills, and employability.

This course will enable you to meet new people and gain valuable skills to help you become more independent both at home and in the community. You will also have the opportunity to develop and demonstrate skills required for employment or voluntary work, if that is one of your goals.

The programme is designed to assist with confidence and employability skills, and to improve social interaction within the community and the workplace. Alongside the employability elements of the course, there will be opportunities to engage in relaxing activities that encourage you to try new activities, research new interests, and make new friendship groups.

You will undertake an Entry 3 or Level 1 accredited qualification in Employment, Training, and Personal Development. As part of the course, you will develop your English and maths skills along with essential digital and IT skills. Gaining these skills will support your college work, improve your communication, and help you to feel confident in a digital world.

You will learn valuable and practical skills in teamwork, effective communication, skills for the workplace, life skills, arts and crafts, independent skills for the home, healthy living, and all about healthy relationships.

For one day a week you will work with your group at The Novel Bite Café in Winsford, which is run by Warrington & Vale Royal College. The café is a safe and friendly environment designed to gently introduce you to working with and engaging with local people. You will cover units in catering and cooking knowledge, food hygiene, health & safety, and customer service skills. Working in the café will help to enhance your confidence, dexterity, knowledge, and independence.

You will also spend half a day each week at our Winsford campus, working on variety of topics and practical activities and boosting your IT and digital skills. Additionally, there will be plenty of opportunities to get out and about exploring our local area and facilities, all the while developing social skills and fostering a sense of community.

After completing the Entry 3 course, you can progress on to a higher-level course or gain further skills on the Adult Community Learning programme. Support will also be given to help you access local voluntary opportunities and training, or even paid employment.

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.

You will be allocated a Progress Coach in addition we can offer the following if applicable;

• 1:1 in class support
• Lunchtime and breaktime supervision
• Meet & greet on entering and leaving the college
• Mobility support
• Exam access arrangements
• Orientation Modification of learning materials
• Specialist resources

We also have a welfare team that are 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 you 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 experience and are passionate about their subject. They will share their experience and knowledge with you to enable you to reach your full potential. We aim to ensure our students can enjoy, experience, and engage. We aim to provide a stimulating learning environment here at Warrington & Vale Royal College.

You do not need any formal entry requirements for this course.

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.

Please note that the £25 administration fee is waived for all adult learner who apply for this course.