A taste of success

Beyond Boyle is a unique catering and hospitality business. Through the Beyond Boyle Foundation, it provides a programme to help people who have experienced homelessness get back into work.

Last week the Foundation held a taster day for its first training programme of 2010. Seven potential trainees and three support workers joined Beyond Boyle staff and volunteers, as well as former trainees, at the unique venue at All Hallows by The Tower. The day gave potential trainees an opportunity to find out more about the organisation and the training programme before deciding if it was something they wanted to commit to.

After a welcome and introduction from inspirational founder Simon Boyle, the serious business of the day started – making soup and bread for lunch alongside the professional chefs from Beyond Boyle. The company and foundation share the philosophy that bringing people together over food can be inspirational and that cooking and eating together is a great way to break down barriers and open people to the idea of change.

All those interested in joining the programme have recently experienced homelessness. Some of them are now living independently while others are still living in hostels. They have already made great progress towards a life away from the streets and are keen to return to work. Most importantly they all share a passion for food and cooking – which immediately helped them feel at home at Beyond Boyle.

The Foundation's programme offers work experience and on-the-job-training in the catering and hospitality business. Beyond Boyle provides compelling teambuilding activities and exciting hospitality events for corporate, private and 3rd Sector clients. All are built around inspirational food experiences. Our trainees work alongside professional chefs in preparing food for meetings, parties, corporate hospitality and other private events. They gain invaluable work experience, develop life skills such as communication and team work and help to produce restaurant quality food. 

After lunch the group met former trainees who are now employed or have returned to education. Hearing from people who have been through similar experiences and have rebuilt their lives proved to be powerful and inspiring.

All seven potential trainees were keen to come back for more; so the next step will be to spend a try out day at Beyond Boyle, where they will get a real sense of what life is like in a busy kitchen. After that they will join the programme for an initial two month placement.

To find out more about Beyond Boyle visit www.beyondboyle.com
To discuss the Foundation, contact Rebecca Sycamore: Rebecca@beyondboyle.com
For other enquiries contact Suzanne@beyondboyle.com or call 0845 618 7274.