Projects
ESF Projects from all over England are represented here, showcasing and celebrating the wide range of ESF-funded activities that are taking place across the country. Explore extended case studies and shorter project reviews; watch inspiring participant interviews; read about remarkable achievements; and find extra information from the projects here.
The Short reviews on ESF-Works present overviews of many ESF funded projects across England. In this section, you can find out more about how European Social Fund projects are delivered on the ground, read about innovative approaches to deliver change, and see how ESF benefits the local economy and promotes social inclusion.
Main feature
Each year Fifteen Cornwall gives up to 20 trainee chefs the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to turn their lives around. The training starts at Cornwall College, with 12 weeks full-time education, work placement with monitoring and assessment, and 50 weeks of work-based training at Fifteen Cornwall supported by professional chefs and one-to-one training and support.
With stunning views over a two-mile beach and an exciting menu of modern Mediterranean-style dishes using high-quality local produce, the restaurant is dedicated to the same inspirational social enterprise goals as set out by Jamie Oliver and the team at Fifteen London. All profits from Fifteen Cornwall go to the registered charity, The Cornwall Foundation of Promise, whose purpose is to is the creation of fantastic career opportunities for disadvantaged young people and helping them every step of the way to achieve their potential.
The project also provides a valuable boost to Cornwall's tourism industry and makes use of the abundance of high-quality food producers in the region.
Over £545,000 from the Objective One European Regional Development Fund was invested in the capital build of the Fifteen restaurant and training facilities, matched with £482,000 from the South West Regional Development Agency.
Awards include:
2009 Employer Committed to the Welfare to Work Agenda, Cornwall Works WISE Awards
2008 Taste of England Gold Award, Enjoy England Awards
2008 Best project under £2 million - Michelmores and Western Morning News' Commercial Property Awards
2007 Best Location Readers' Award - Observer Food Monthly Waitrose Food Awards
2007 Gold Award in the Taste of the South West category at the South West Tourism's Excellence Awards.
Novemeber 2010 - update
100 young people have now been on the Fifteen Cornwall programme and 41 have graduated - cohort 4 graduated in May 2010.
22 young people in cohort 5 are currently working in the kitchens at Fifteen Cornwall - they will graduate in May 2011.
Cohort 6 has just been recruited and they are in college.
Fifteen Cornwall recruits through Jobcentre Plus and a range of specific agencies working with the most disadvantaged young people, including the Probation Service.
Fifteen Cornwall is looking for people with a 'spark', and seeks it out amongst those who need most help. Your background will not be a disadvantage!
Potential participants will find themselves doing a 'Taste Test' - and it is not the 'Master Chef' version: the question is not 'What is the food?' but 'Do you have a reaction to it? Good or bad?'
The next step is 'boot camp', where potential participants will develop their teamwork and interpersonal skills, before the final 20-30 lucky participants are selected to go to college and form the next Cohort.
The inspirational employment programme is funded through profits from the highly successful restaurant and ESF Convergence investment through Jobcentre Plus.
Key message
Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Convergence Partnership Office said: 'A key part of strengthening this region's economy is to encourage people from all walks of life into work by offering support and training. Fifteen Cornwall is an iconic and successful example of partnership working at its best.'
Impact
Interview with Dave Maneer, Chief Executive of Fifteen Cornwall
Dave Meneer, explains how the restaurant has progressed since inception in 2006, and also describes the impact of ESF Convergence funding on the lives of the young people involved in Fifteen today.
Natalie Dale, 2009 Fifteen Cornwall Graduates explains impact on her life
'Several people had suggested Fifteen Cornwall to me when I was unemployed and living in a hostel. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, so I had nothing to lose by applying. I didn't know what to expect at all, but it has been fantastic, it's definitely put me on the right path. I've learnt not to give up when things get tough - the course was really hard at times but I always wanted to be here. It's been amazing how much I can do when I give something my all.
'My mum thinks that it's been brilliant for me. She couldn't be prouder - she's got her daughter back instead of the horrid person I felt like I was before Fifteen Cornwall. I've overcome so many problems and difficulties and I'm a better person for it.'
Project information
Region: Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
Sub-regions: Cornwall
Objective: Convergence
Priority area: 4: Tackling barriers to employment
Themes: Big Society, Young people, Social enterprise
Co-financer/funder: Skills Funding Agency, Department for Work and Pensions
Lead partner: Cornwall Foundation of Promise and Fifteen Cornwall
Partner organisations: Cornwall Foundation of Promise and Fifteen Cornwall
Key sectors: Hospitality and leisure
Activities: Partnerships, networks and initiatives
Key target groups: Vocational training, Unemployed, Hardest to help, 14-19 NEET or early-school leavers
Funding: £218,000 from JCP ESF and £250,000 from Skills Funding Agency.
Start date: Opened in 2006.
End date: Ongoing
Project web site: www.fifteencornwall.co.uk
Contacts
Dave Meneer, Chief Executive
Cornwall Foundation of Promise and Fifteen Cornwall
Fifteen Cornwall, On The Beach, Watergate Bay, Cornwall, TR8 4AA
(01637) 861000
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