A series of skill-building workshops empowers young people in March
A series of skill-building workshops have been delivered by the local charity Young People March (YPM), empowering local young people with the practical tools needed for a successful future.
Funded by Allison Homes, with support from Accent Housing, as part of the Allison Partnerships Charitable Scheme, the workshops aim to boost confidence, creativity and employability among young people in March.
The workshops were delivered during the February half-term and Easter break, focusing on cooking and community safety. These topics were subjects the members hoped to better understand.
Sarah Housley-Scott, Centre Manager at YPM, said: “Our young people told us they wanted to take part in a cooking workshop because it would give them something practical and empowering to do together.
“For many, it’s not just about learning recipes, but also about gaining independence, and boosting communication skills while working with people their age who they may not know.”
The cooking sessions were led by the YPM team and focused on learning how to cook healthy food, such as a healthy pizza and risotto. The young people had the opportunity to practise budgeting, planning meals and adapting recipes to suit people’s tastes. More general cooking skills, such as measuring ingredients, temperature differences, health and safety, and following written instructions, were also taught throughout the sessions.
Sarah added: “I was delighted to see how engaged the young people were while cooking. They enjoyed working together and asked thoughtful questions throughout.
“One girl even remade the pizza recipe for her family later in the week, which highlights how workshops such as this can inspire young people to apply new skills at home, proudly sharing the positive experience with others.”
In total 13 people, aged 10 to 14, took part in the cooking workshop. They all said they would like to attend another workshop where they hope to make brownies, burgers and pasta bake.
One parent of a child who attended the workshop said: “My daughter really enjoyed the cooking class. She loved making the cake and has continued to carry on making it at home. She would love to do another course if there was one available, and I would give it a 10 out of 10.”
As part of the Allison Partnerships Charitable Scheme, Allison Homes donates £100 for every home built on the Partnerships’ affordable housing development at Upwell Meadows. The donations go straight to local charities and groups, such as YPM, as a way of supporting local communities in the areas where Allison Homes build.
James Pennington, Partnerships and Investments Director at Allison Homes, said: “I am proud that the Allison Partnerships Charitable Scheme continues to make a positive difference to the lives of local people. By donating to organisations such as YPM, we hope to create a lasting impact and help strengthen the communities where we build.”
Similarly, YPM hosted a drop-in community safety workshop, encouraging discussions between young people on topics such as trusting your instinct, seeking help, reporting harmful behaviour, peer influence and respecting boundaries.
Sarah added: “Many of our members are not currently in education and therefore miss out on essential topics covered in PSHE lessons. Our workshops help bridge these gaps by providing access to important knowledge they might otherwise not receive.
“Each workshop has received wonderful feedback from both the attendees and parents and carers. We hope to continue running the sessions and plan to host another cooking class soon, enabling the young people to build on their kitchen skills.”
Allison Homes Web Article: 26th June 2026
