Back in 2001, RKdia was established as part of Drum Housing Association, and since then has grown from strength to strength. Based in Horndean, RKdia directly supports the Knighton Corner project, providing facilities for young people and members of the local community, as well as being home to 12 young people aged 16 to 25, offering support and guidance as they make the transition to independent living.
Right in the heart of the housing facility, Drum set up a small in-house café as a place where local people could meet for a coffee or a light meal, and has since evolved into a successful ever-expanding catering business. This initiative provides extensive training opportunities for residents to gain invaluable experience through customer service and working in the kitchen and catering business.
Back in 2001, RKdia was established as part of Drum Housing Association, and since then has grown from strength to strength. Based in Horndean, RKdia directly supports the Knighton Corner project, providing facilities for young people and members of the local community, as well as being home to 12 young people aged 16 to 25, offering support and guidance as they make the transition to independent living.
Right in the heart of the housing facility, Drum set up a small in-house café as a place where local people could meet for a coffee or a light meal, and has since evolved into a successful ever-expanding catering business. This initiative provides extensive training opportunities for residents to gain invaluable experience through customer service and working in the kitchen and catering business.
In September 2003, East Hampshire District Council referred a young man called Michael to the project, who was living in a Bed and Breakfast at the time, having been forced to leave his family home through unhappy circumstances. Chris Adams, Project Manager at RKdia, met with 17 year old Michael, who suffered with confidence issues and learning difficulties. Chris was unsure if he could cope with living independently and immediately recognised the facility at Knighton Corner might provide an ideal opportunity.
Michael apprehensively moved into Knighton Corner. “It was a completely new experience for me, living with young people and having so much encouragement and support. I really felt that this is somewhere I could call home.”
The HOME project at Horndean is specifically for young homeless people, providing supported accommodation which aims to help them build and continue to live a stable life. Residents are able to complete a 10-point support plan, and work with a Housing Support Worker who offers support and advice, and is there to help with any issues or queries. One of the main support services aims to help find housing after being in the programme.
The community centre welcomes 500-600 young people each year, and with the help of sponsors and partners, provides a range of youth and community facilities, including valuable career and training opportunities, such as help CV development, how to manage money and help with benefits etc. There are also a number of group activities available including social gatherings, group work and drop-in nights, plus residents can now take part in the Duke of Edinburgh award.
After Michael moved into the supportive programme, he excelled and the team at RKdia saw immediate positive changes. He soon became integrated into the community there, signing up for the resident football team and volunteering on the catering side, completing his food hygiene qualification soon after. Originally set up to cater for local businesses and charities, in 2003 project manager Chris, took the catering side to external businesses and private functions. These included leading events such as group BBQs, social gatherings and occasions parties, and in 2005 RKdia catered for their first wedding reception.
Michael exceeded expectation and moved into his own flat, away from the programme. Although no longer directly linked to the centre, Chris explained how there is always contact and support for ex-residents. Michael was thrilled to begin work at a caravan sales park, maintaining new vans for sale or rent. Unfortunately with the struggling current economical climate, the company went out of business and Michael was made redundant. Determined not to slip back into his previous living situation, Michael happily returned to the programme and quickly started helping out on the catering side again. Through hard work and dedication, Michael secured a six-month contract as a trainee in food and beverage, and hopes this position will soon be made permanent.
Talking about the change in Michael, Project Manager Chris Adams commented, “He is an extremely conscientious individual; he is hard working and reliable, I see a lot of potential in him. It is so rewarding to watch his development, and see how committed he is to his new role.”
The community café now provides catering and event management services throughout Hampshire and has hosted about 500 corporate buffets, around 16 weddings and hog-roasts, and has also just expanded into offering a mobile bar service. To date, RKdia has successfully trained 14 young people in full-time placements, of which 10 have moved into the catering industry, and over 30 part-time. They have also offered over 25 Trident school placements; all providing invaluable employment opportunities. A fantastic achievement for everyone involved.