Daragh Forde Job Coach at Cork's Cope Foundation came up with the brainwave which is proving to be a big hit
A chef at a Kerry hotel has stepped in to teach a group of people with disabilities who are part of the Ability@Work service at Cork's Cope Foundation how to cook
Ability@Work is a supported employment service which aims to bring young people with intellectual disabilities and/or Autism closer to the labour market.
Since opening over 18 months ago they managed to secure 37 paid jobs for people with disabilities in Cork City and County.
However since the pandemic hit this number is down to 6 so those who were formerly working and accessing day services are missing their routines and struggling with boredom
Job Coach Daragh Forde stepped into the breach and contacted the head chef at the Brehon Hotel in Killarney in an effort to create a unique training opportunity which would be beneficial and fun at the same time
Chad Byrne at the Brehon jumped at the opportunity to help and now hosts a weekly cooking class for people with disabilities
Speaking to RedFM News Ability@Work Coordinator at Cope Marian Hennessy says the class has proved to be a big hit
The classes are held ever Friday at 12.30 via an Instagram Live page called ChefVChef and anyone is welcome to join the weekly class
Online Cooking Class Keeps Ability@Work Participants Busy During Covid-19 Pandemic
