The twelve days of Christmas
From our earliest experience of the Christmas season, the story of good old St Nicholas tells us that it is a season of giving and receiving. In this year of austerity perhaps we should all thinking of those who receive more than the pretty wrapped socks and jumpers we don’t really need and don’t really want.
Create is celebrating the heart of the season of Christmas in a special way.
Even in challenging economic times Create has driven forwards this year at an impressive pace. Opening a restaurant in Leeds, which is receiving rave reviews, catering operations in Doncaster, Sunderland and Manchester, Create has also welcomed into its Employment Academy nearly 200 people who are homeless, marginalised and vulnerable this year. Richard Walton-Allen, Create’s national executive chef says, “It has been great to welcome so many people and support them with training and coaching towards securing a great job. Every one is different but it has been amazing to see so many people grow and flourish with the right support.”
Sarah Dunwell, Chief Executive of Create says “we started the year winning an award from the Prime Minster and have had a very busy year. We say every day at Create that we believe that good food and people matter and as we approach Christmas we are humbled to be celebrating not only the great food we offer but the stories of the people who have shared the journey with us this year.”
This year has seen many announcements from the government about rises in unemployment and many other problems but this year Create wanted to offer some Christmas cheer with some good news stories from the trainees in their Academy.
On the first day of Christmas…
James, 30, was born and grew up in Leeds. He had a younger sister who died of leukaemia when she was three and James was four, but he was too young to remember her. Around the same time his father left home; he didn’t learn the truth about his real dad until he was 11, from a relative in the family.
James was ‘a goody two shoes’ until he was 15 when a friend’s brother took him into his flat – a kind of commune for the homeless – and though this man was doing hard drugs, he protected James, made him aware of their danger and wouldn’t let him near them. James remembers him fondly for helping him at this time but adds sadly that he died aged just 25. “I had nothing to live for so I didn’t care if I died – no family, no friends. I looked like a 13 year old, there was nothing of me and still they beat us. But I couldn’t cry.” Scared, they left the flat and went to a hostel but here the crowd was even worse.
“I wanted to be dead. I couldn’t believe I was living in this world with these people.” James spiralled into a huge depression; he was back down again and couldn’t cope. In 2005 he suffered kidney failure and was in intensive care. “I’ve done every course there is,” says James, “been there, done it, got the t-shirt. So my first response was it’s not for me as I want to DO something. But I also figured I had nothing to lose, so I joined Create’s Academy.”
“I would not change a single thing that has happened to me. It has made me who I am today, I wouldn’t be me. I know I can be strong. I have given up the drugs – it’s not easy but I have done that. Forget all the other courses you’ve been on, this one is different. I have choices now; I’m learning to protect myself.”
“Catering for a recent wedding was one of the best experiences of my life,” says James, glowing as he recounts. “We were so bigged up, it was great to hear what folks were saying about us. Then the parents of the bride announced to all the guests that Create had done the food and they clapped for a full minute whilst we lined up at the back of the marquee. Our professional team. Buzzing. I felt so proud to be in that team. Everything was perfect.”
On the second day of Christmas…
Simon joined Create last year when he was just 21 but from 16 he has been one of society’s ‘hidden homeless’, sofa surfing and sleeping at friends’ houses to get by. He lost his mum to breast cancer when he was 8 and when his stepfather took to drinking; he was removed to his grandparents. His beloved Nanna died and his grandfather took to drink so he came to Leeds to find his real father – who was also an alcoholic. Not an easy start to anyone’s life.
“I didn’t feel like a normal kid. I was really scared, what was going to happen?”
I asked who Simon talked to and he said no-one. “I didn’t say anything to anyone.”
Simon came to join Create’s academy and truly shone in the catering kitchen – he loved the business and came in on weekends to help out at events ‘just for the buzz’.
Simon got a job with Morrisons at his first interview.
“Create Academy is an excellent opportunity. If you want to get your life back on track, it’s the place to be. You get help and support, you have things in common with the other learners and build relationships.”
On the third day of Christmas…
For Mark but a painful marriage break up changed everything. Mark left home – “there was too much animosity, it was bad for the children, I just had to go”. He slept under bridges, anywhere where there were no other people. He found life on the streets daunting from early on and made a decision to steer clear of others “seeing people half kill each other for half a bottle of cider, that wasn’t for me.”
“I was losing the structure to my life, the will, the purpose. I was starting to think like someone unemployed the never ending circle of giving out CVs and getting no responses, Job Centres, not bothering to get dressed, watching daytime rubbish TV. I wasn’t tired I couldn’t sleep at night so I would walk and walk. What was I going to do?”
A support worker suggested the Create Academy to Mark. He had heard of the other courses going and not taken any of these up but he decided to give this one a go. And he’s mighty relieved he did.
“It’s changed my whole outlook. I don’t feel so low anymore. Before I couldn’t be bothered to do things, now I can be bothered to go out and I do with my new mates that I’ve met on this course. Some have become great friends from going through this experience together.”
“My babies haven’t half seen the change in me in the last ten weeks. We get real quality time together. I am smiling and laughing again – not because someone has told a joke – but because I’m happy. I am finding myself again, the real me, how I used to be.”
Mark was one of our very first Create academy trainees last summer and secured a job in Morrisons where he still works.
On the fourth day of Christmas…
Having worked for all his life, Stuart lost his job, started drinking, his marriage broke up and he lost his family home. Stuart came to Create in this time as he was just getting a council flat.
“The Academy is brilliant. Before there was no point in getting up. I stayed in bed to save money on the gas and electricity. Now I get up everyday. I’m always at work when I should be and let someone know straight away if I can’t make it. I’ve even come in today to help prepare for a big event this evening, though I’ve just got my own flat and have lots to sort out and the decorating to do, so I was going to take this week off. I’m an alcoholic and the Academy has helped me stay off the drink. I’ve been on treatment programmes but I’ve always slipped and had a drink. Now I haven’t had a drink for 4 months.
I’m applying for jobs including jobs back in my old trade, where I worked for 22 years.”
Stuart stuck with the course and graduated from Create academy as proud as punch in a new suit for his interviews. Shortly after we received an email from Stuart with a Job Description attached – his new job, back in the industry he knew well.
“Just a quick note to say thanks for all the help you and the rest of the Create team have given me. Just four months ago I would not have dreamt of getting this position but with the help of Create I have restored confidence in myself and the get up and go to get out there and chase this type of work. Being at Create not only got me out of bed so to speak, but helped me tremendously to go through a complete alcohol detox and give me the will power to succeed. Once again, many thanks.”
Five gold rings?
Claire came to us in May 2011 with very little confidence, no money and no housing. Claire had returned to England after living and working in Spain for six years. Because of the time she had been away, on return, she was no longer treated as a British citizen.
Whilst on the programme with us, we were able to support Claire with finding housing, benefits and rebuilding her confidence. With a balanced mixture of classroom time and work experience, we were able to keep Claire busy and focused on what she wanted to achieve.
Claire took to our kitchens like a duck to water and soon, with a lot of care and attention, became her old self again.
When our restaurant opened in August we encouraged Claire to apply for the Demi Chef position. Claire passed the interview with flying colours and has been an integral part of the Create family ever since.
On the sixth day of Christmas…
Maria was born in a remote part of rural Estonia with an Estonian mum and a Russian father and one older brother. She spoke both languages from childhood and when she graduated from high school in 1997 Maria wanted to experience a different country and went to Germany to work as an au pair. Her first job was with a family with six children, no mean feat.
Her employers then moved to work in London and invited Maria to travel with them as their au pair for three months, so in 2005 she found herself in London.
Maria met and married a Yorkshireman with whom she had a son in late 2006 but after three years their marriage broke up. Maria had to move out with a young baby. Even though she is European, she had no right to any benefits as she has not worked in the UK for 12 months. Housing has been a huge problem, she and her son have lived in three different places and are about to move into a fourth.
“Before the Academy, my only work experience was childcare so now I can have some retail and catering experience. This improves my chances for getting jobs now.”
“As ever when you have a young pre-school age child to support alone, finding the childcare for herself, ironically, is always a real issue and an extra stress.”
“I like learning anything new,” says Maria, “so I have enjoyed the new experiences within the Academy. I can’t sit about doing nothing when there’s so much to do. Just wish I had more time.”
On the seventh day of Christmas…
“I couldn’t think of what kind of work I could do. Maybe just something working on my own. I had nothing in my life before, nothing to look forward to but now I’m really excited, excited even about getting a job.”
Aiden is 17 and a current trainee just half way through his 12 week Create Academy programme working in the flagship restaurant in the centre of Leeds. Aiden struggled at school and dropped out at the age of 14. Since then he has been involved in criminal activity and not even considered the possibility that getting a job could be positive and fulfilling. For Aiden, crime was the option and the future. He joined Create less than six weeks ago and without any prior experience elected to work in the heat of the kitchen at Create restaurant. His eyes come alive when he talks about his first day.
“All the chefs were here to meet me and make me feel welcome. I was really shy but they made it really easy for me and I now feel I can ask all the questions I need to. I feel part of the team.”
How has Create changed things for Aiden so far? “I’ve no time for that other life at all now, “he says firmly” I’m here every day of the week helping out and I love it. I even do an extra four hours on a Saturday. Not because I have to but because I want to, I really do help the team out and I know they miss me when I’m not here. I love being around when the customers are in and we have to get service spot on. I love being involved in getting the great food out to customers. I’ve just made the best chilli ever.” As well as recipes, the chefs are sharing their beloved cookery books with Aiden that he’s loving reading.”
Chef James Copley who has worked with Aiden:
“It’s hard to know where to begin talking about the difference in Aiden. He was very shy and apprehensive when he first joined the kitchen but he picked up details very quickly and was always asking questions, which is great. And taking work home with him! Everyone needs to find the best place for them to work in catering, every restaurant is different but you can find a style that fits what you do. I didn’t know what to expect from our trainees but it’s been great to see them develop, move from shy and reserved to being open, chatty and develop friendships.”
On the eigth day of Christmas…
Saare is 40 and was born in Eritrea, but the family moved to Ethiopia when he was six as his father got work there as a truck driver for a bank. Saare is the middle of five children, with two brothers and two sisters, two older and two younger than him.
In 2004 because of the war with Eritrea, Saare left Ethiopia and came to Britain seeking asylum. Saare received his official papers to remain and work in the UK in February 2010.
“It is very hard not to be able to work for six whole years when you have worked all your life,” he says, “the time passes so slowly”. The frustration he has felt at not being allowed to contribute is visible on Saare’s face. “I like to work, I am a hard worker.” He spent a lot of time staying at home or doing as much English language training as he could access. The relief at now being able to get started again is also very evident.
Two months ago Saare got a flat of his own, his first home. Saare joined the very first Create Academy in June 2010 and says it has been very good for him,
“The work experience at Create has been great, it has really increased my confidence and made me feel ready for work. Being at the Academy has been good, I’ve felt part of a team and made new friends too.” Saare is still working hard at English lessons and improving his maths. In the future he hopes he will be able to use some of the skills he trained for in Ethiopia, possibly studying electrical engineering. His next step is paid work that will make him independent.
Saare travels everywhere on his trusty bike and never claimed a penny in travel costs in 12 weeks on the Academy course, of which he is very proud. Wearing his Create t-shirt for all to see, “Look, I am a living advertisement,” laughs Saare, “I tell all my friends about it.”
Saare secured paid employment with Morrisons new supermarket at Harehills, Leeds at the end of the Academy and started work on 11 October 2010.
On the ninth day of Christmas…
Awate is 34, an only child born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In 2002 the government of Eritrea declared a short list of acceptable religions including Orthodox Christianity or Islam and proceeded to persecute those practising other minority religions. Many people were caught and put in prison.
In 2003, Awate’s father died and he was put in prison for his faith where he remained for three years under dreadful conditions. He was asked many times to give up his faith but he refused. He cooked for the prisoners whilst inside the prison. His mother died whilst he was a prisoner. In August 2005 Awate arrived in the UK as an asylum seeker.
Awate has lived in Sunderland for most of this time, where he met his girlfriend who is originally from Ethiopia and together they have a daughter and a son. They received their official permission to remain and work in the UK in 2010, and moved to Leeds in the hope of finding more work opportunities, joining the Create Academy soon after arriving. “I am so happy, so very happy. How can I explain how happy this course makes me? I have learned so many things here.” Awate’s work experience has been in the businesses and catering operations. “The work experience I have now is huge and it has given me so much confidence.”
Awate goes on to talk about the cafe and how he has done the cleaning, the cooking, worked on the till, he’s tried every area of work. He is very proud of the feedback from the customers when they praise him and he loves helping customers out, building relationships with the regulars. Awate smiles broadly when he says, “In my country it is always the women who cook and clean but now I go home and help my girlfriend. I like to cook for her, we share the tasks – sharing and growing together is good. We are a European family now!”
Awate is keen to work but is also very keen that his future plans involve a lot of volunteering – he wants to help others as he has been helped. “Training like this is good for you,” says Awate. “It really helps. It stops people staying in their house alone, people meet other people, it gets them active – it’s good for the brain and good for God. Helping people gives me a huge satisfaction on the inside – the most important thing.”
On the tenth day of Christmas…
Mark started on Create’s Academy programme in September 2011 he says he been hanging round with a bad crowd since he left school and so never really tried to find work and wasn’t really sure what he wanted to do. Coming to Create opened his eyes to the day to day joy of working with a team of people in a positive and productive environment. He says “I didn’t really want to work in a kitchen but after trying it, loved it, I guess it is the fear of the unknown. If you haven’t worked before you don’t know what to expect and fear the worst. What you actually get is the best.”
Mark was with Create for 6 weeks then found work at Opposite Café as kitchen assistant having gain confidence and food safety and retail qualifications at Create.
On the eleventh day of Christmas…
Pauline had worked often in the past. She had the bitter experience of never having worked and had been in and out of work for many years in the hospitality industry. Recently she had struggled to juggle work with family commitments and had been unemployed for a year and wasn’t getting the support she needed. Fearing being left behind by a changing world or employment she struggled with the internet world and ‘applying online’.
After gaining Food Safety Level 2 and Retail QCF level 1 with Create she moved into work at the Hilton Hotel in housekeeping.
Pauline says, “It wasn’t about being at the bottom of the pile it was just about feeling that the personalised support I needed was not available. Create showed me that people were prepared to sit and down and treat me as a person, ask me what I needed to succeed and work with me to get that”
On the twelth day of Christmas…
Charlie came from an organisation where he was living with his mother as a result of fleeing domestic violence. Charlie knew he wanted to make something of himself and not go down the same negative track as others he knew. As a result of having this passion to get the most out of life Charlie joined Create and there has been no stopping him. He has grabbed every challenge with both hands and ran with it.
“We are about kick starting people’s futures,” says Danny Leech, lead mentor from Create. “We provide a structure but it’s the individuals who do the hard work. In just one month we have seen an amazing change in our trainees. It’s all about building up confidence and getting them back on the road to employment.”
Charlie starts his new job on Saturday and says “I just want to say a big thank you for this rewarding and overall inspiring opportunity, never could I imagine myself successfully gaining employment this early in life never mind achieving my food hygiene certificate, learning new skill and meet a new range of, hopefully long term friends within a space of five weeks. Create is an effective and very beneficial place to learn new skills and gain employment, I would strongly recommend it to anyone, under any circumstances. Thanks again.”
