A COMMUNITY initiative launched in West Somerset by the Aurora Foxes has won a prestigious national award in the face of stiff competition from some of the biggest hotel chains in the country.

Aurora Foxes hospitality and catering college was shortlisted in the community engagement category for a work experience placement which was set up in January, 2022, in Williton Pavilion, Williton, since re-named Foxes Community Kitchen.

The kitchen helps to bring the community together by offering affordable lunches cooked and served by Foxes students, providing socialising opportunities for local people following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Foxes representatives attended the Springboard Awards for Excellence held in the Hilton Intercontinental Park Lane, in London, and were named the category winners.

The others shortlisted for community engagement were Craig Prentice - mum, DoubleTree by Hilton London ExCel, and Sodexo.

Lunch being prepared for a Foxes Community Kitchen session in Williton.
Lunch being prepared for a Foxes Community Kitchen session in Williton. ( )

Aurora Foxes is the only specialist college and training hotel in the UK for young adults with learning disabilities.

Principal Mark Costello said: “To win this award for best community engagement initiative is such an incredible recognition of the hard work by our staff and students and the support provided by the local community.

“The Springboard Awards for Excellence brings together the very best in hospitality from across the country, and so to win this award is a real achievement.”

Attending the awards evening in London were (left to right) programme lead Kim Williams, head of education Nicola Gibbs, marketing assistant Florence Whittaker, work experience co-ordinator Emma Lethaby, and lead front of house tutor Zoe Furse. Aurora Foxes Academy Minehead
Attending the awards evening in London were (left to right) programme lead Kim Williams, head of education Nicola Gibbs, marketing assistant Florence Whittaker, work experience co-ordinator Emma Lethaby, and lead front of house tutor Zoe Furse. ( )

Foxes Community Kitchen has grown exponentially over the past few years, and is regularly at capacity, even attracting customers who travel from as far as Exeter to experience the atmosphere and food delivered by the academy’s third-year students.

The academy head of Education Nicola Gibbs said the community kitchen began as a response to the isolation experienced by the villagers in Williton during Covid.

The impact of isolation was still being felt post-pandemic with people losing confidence and suffering increased levels of anxiety due to the lack of social contact.

Aurora Foxes Academy students with their community engagement award in Williton.
Aurora Foxes students with their community engagement award in Williton. ( )

So, the academy’s students worked with Williton Parish Council to take up the challenge to provide a service to villagers, including those in care homes, people living on their own, and many who were recently bereaved.

It started with a 10-week trial to provide meals one day a week and has grown to three days and a highlight of the week for many villagers.

Ms Gibbs said: “The real beauty lies in the fact it is mutually beneficial, with our two communities working together to create something truly wonderful.

Delighted Aurora Foxes Academy students n the Williton kitchen with their community engagement award.
Delighted Aurora Foxes students n the Williton kitchen with their community engagement award. ( )

“The students benefit from real-life work experience, knowing they are working towards a qualification and helping another community.

“The Williton community have the opportunity to enjoy wholesome, affordable meals in a social environment, while knowing they are also giving back by giving our students the opportunity to continue their hospitality training.”

The Foxes students, who all have learning disabilities and are working toward a career in hospitality, spend the morning preparing food they have bought before they lay the tables and prepare the hall for service and provide a whole experience for customers.

Ms Gibbs said: “It is an initiative which benefits everybody equally.”