Transforming the space from an industrial-style kitchen to one that’s more comfortable and homier, our residents are delighted with the new space to enjoy cooking and socialising with peers.
A young resident who lives at the foyer, Talika Wright, said: “It’s really good. There’s dishwashers here, we are young people, we are teenagers and at the end of the day we hate doing our dishes.
“It will help people who want to work as a chef by being in a more professional kitchen. It will be good for more socialisation and cooking groups, helping young people how to cook and life skills. It will be really good.”
Jenny Endean, our Service Lead for Young People, said: “The kitchen that’s just been refurbished has been a great partnership and showed true collaboration between a variety of contractors and our internal colleagues.
“What it means is that we have a kitchen where young people can come together, learn their independent skills around cooking as well as socialisation and really get to know each other.”
Positively benefitting the lives of the young people at the scheme now, and in years to come, the new and modern facility will continue to support young people on their journey to independent living and promote health and wellbeing.
Local businesses, in partnership with us, who offer supported housing across the South West, teamed up to raise over £11,800 for this project.
The kind donations made by Howdens, City Electrical Factors, Jewson Partnership Solutions, Fibo UK, Vaillant Group, Bradfords Building Supplies, Rexel and Cobwebs South West, all played a huge role in revamping the kitchen.
Our collaborative project also provided young residents with the option to find out more about trades careers during the project.
Eight of our apprentices were also heavily involved in the project as they helped build the new facility, offering them new skills and experiences along the way.
Nick Barbour, from Howdens, who helped kickstart the project, said: “Here at a Howdens our role in the community is to support the towns and cities where we operate so that we can have a positive impact.
“We were delighted when we were asked to support LiveWest with the donation of a kitchen for the Torbay Foyer and hope our contribution will go some way to helping the young residents to live, learn and thrive.”
Accommodation, like Torbay Foyer, supports young people and parents on their way to independent living by helping them with managing finances, applying for financial support, education, finding a job, cooking, cleaning, counselling and much more.
Our supported housing services available for young people and young parents at LiveWest offers emergency long-stay accommodation across the South West for 16 to 25-year-olds.
James Chambers, General Manager at Jewson Partership Solutions, reflected on the project. James said: “It’s a real pleasure to be involved in supporting such a meaningful project. The recent refurbishment opens the doors for individuals to gain hands on, practical life skills and experience.
“The new kitchen area will have a lasting impact on the community for years to come.”
Colin Bramley, Category Manager for Social Housing and Merchant Relationships at CEF, said: “CEF are proud to support the kitchen facility upgrade at Torbay Foyer. We work closely with LiveWest, suppling electrical materials right across their housing stock, and part of our social value commitments within the contract is to help local initiatives. I am proud that we have been asked to make our contribution to this great cause, enabling young people to get back on their feet within a safe environment.
“Good luck to all the staff and residents, past, present and in the future.”