Hi, I am Ben.
I am a member of Brierley Café Training Programme and recently started volunteering there every Monday and Thursday. Previously I volunteered in Café G at St George’s Community Hub, however I moved to Brierley to develop my customer service skills, improve my confidence, understand working life and be a helping hand in the new café.
Brierley Café has a relaxed atmosphere, I thrive in a quieter environment, so it really suits me volunteering here. I am supported in the kitchen by Catering Training Officer, Dawn Taylor, we work alongside the Cook, Lindsey and Jodie, another volunteer who I am good friends with.
It is great fun coming to Brierley, Dawn has taught me so many new cake recipes. One of the many cakes we have baked, was a gluten free cake. I have learnt the reasons why we must use different ingredients and the implications it would cause to people who are gluten intolerant if we didn’t. I am also learning how to use the electronic till, serve customers and wait tables. Over the next few months, I am looking forward to feeling confident in using the till, serving food to customers and selling as many of my cakes as possible!
Since I have been volunteering at Brierley, I’ve realised I have a real passion for baking. I love seeing the cakes I’ve made go on to display for people to buy, it makes me proud. Although I have strong will power and like to be healthy, I do enjoy trying one of my freshly baked cakes or pastries!
This year I really want to bake my Mum a birthday cake, with the help of Dawn we are going to bake her favourite flavoured cake, pipe on icing and decorate it with sprinkles. I can’t wait!
“Since Ben has been volunteering at Brierley Café, he has been wanting to deal with money at home. It is great to see, he is really enjoying learning how to use the till at Brierley.” – Ben’s Mum
Thank you for taking the time to read Ben’s blog. We would love for you to visit our community Cafe and enjoy one of Ben’s freshly baked cakes, a coffee, and even meet the main baker himself! For more information about Brierley Café located in Little Hulton, please call 0161 799 0656.
