MONDAY MATTERS: Teens baking the most of it

“WE’RE making Popovers,” announces Liam, pointing to a recipe book on the counter.

“They’re like American Yorkshire puddings, but sweet. It’s the first time we’ve tried them.”

Next to him, a fellow student is busily kneading dough. In the corner another teen is bent over dishes in the sink.

It is Friday at Catch22, the day when pupils take a break from tutorials to bake goodies and run the education charity’s weekly cafe.

“We’ve just got a new coffee machine,” explains today’s on-call barista Denni. “We’re going to get trained to use it soon and we’ll be able to make two drinks at once, which we can’t do on our machine at the moment,” she adds eagerly.

Watching them so industrious, bouncing in and out of the kitchen, pulling a piping hot tray of bread rolls from the oven or carefully reviewing stocks, it is unimaginable to think that just a year ago most of them were so despondent and withdrawn they had lost any hope for the future.

“This is their fresh start,” beams Catch22 project manager Laura Holmes.

“They’ve built their confidence so much. It’s hard enough to be a teenager and they just got to the point where they got a bit stuck. We tried to help them get to where they wanted to be.”

The education programme with a difference was launched nearly three years ago by national charity Catch22.

It took over from a much smaller project delivered at the time by Include. Catch22 expanded the scheme, originally run from Old Town, before moving the team to The Shaftesbury Centre in Rodbourne.

The charity’s goal was simple: To offer teenagers unable to cope with college or the demands and pressures of studying in a large comprehensive an alternative to mainstream school.

“We are here to support young people between 16 and 19 years old who prefer to be in a small setting rather than going to the larger colleges, mainly due to anxiety, mental health or learning difficulties. We have a small number of students we can really work closely with to rebuild their confidence, gain qualifications and work experience. It’s about a more individual approach.

“When they come to us student may have missed a lot of school because of bullying, anxiety or because of health problems so we give them a place where they feel safe.”

Pupils are largely referred to the charity by their school, youth engagement or social workers.

Every teenager studies at his or her pace to achieve their Functional Skills qualifications in English and Maths as well as boost their employability skills. Unlike at a normal school, they can enrol at any time during the academic year.

“We’re a stepping stone to further education, an apprenticeship or a job,” adds Laura. “We can be their plan B. We’re very flexible, they can stay with us from three months to three years, as long as they need us.

“We’re really proud of our students. We have had some real success stories this year. One of our students had not been to school for nearly two years when she came to us and she secured her Level 2 in maths and is now working full time for Nationwide.”

The charity’s eight staff members currently tutor and mentor 45 students.

Work experience is a key component of the programme and this is where projects like the weekly cafe, which opened in October last year, come in.

“Students make home-made bread, soups, cakes and coffee, which they serve to customers,” she says. “And we’re going to work on getting them proper barista qualifications. It’s something they’ll be able to put on their CV.

“We also run a homemade fudge project, Pig Town Products, with students making and selling our delicious fudge and sweets at local events throughout the summer. These supported work experience opportunities help to build their confidence, be comfortable speaking to people, and prepare them to go out and work in the wider community.”

All money earned through the social enterprises is reinvested in supplies and the charity.

In the cafe, one of her students, Josh, is chattering away with his ‘classmates’ over a hot drink and a plateful of popovers, fresh out of the oven. Just a year ago, Laura explains, the 19-year-old would get physically sick at the mere thought of socialising with a small group of students. “He has turned his life around,” says Laura with pride. “He was nominated to go on a three-week expedition to Iceland with British Exploring, which he successfully completed. When the group returned from Iceland, he was asked to do a speech in London about his experience. He has been on work placement with the De Vere Hotel, who were so impressed with his customer service skills that they have asked him to apply for a job there.”

“It’s completely different; it’s like being with a group of friends,” smiles Josh. “I had lots of problems at college and I didn’t enjoy it. I was sceptical about coming here at first but on the first day we went rock climbing and I thought, ‘This is great’. I keep at it. It was so easy to fit in.”

Brandon, 18, had given up all hope of finishing school when a former girlfriend’s sister flagged up Catch22. Like Josh he took part in the Icelandic expedition (which he admits was far tougher than he ever expected) and has secured a work placement in a bank.

“I hated school; I didn’t get on with the teachers and they didn’t get on with me,” he says. “I didn’t see the point of going. I left and I had no motivation. I gave this a try and I’m still here now. They listen to you and work with you instead of working you to a level you can’t cope with.”

While the school side of the operation is running smoothly, Catch22 is hoping to grow its cafe and welcome new customers. The more people back the project, the more life experience and skills students will gain from it, insists Laura.

“We are a bit of a hidden treasure, but we know there are many families and young people in Swindon who would really either benefit from our project, or like to support us.”

The Catch22 Cafe is open every Friday from 9am to 2pm and serves a range of cakes, bacon rolls, paninis, soups and hot drinks. To find out more about the charity call 01793 554740 or email laura.holmes@catch-22.org.uk.