FareShare, the United Kingdom’s national network of charitable food redistributors and GFN member, is partnering with local organization SOFEA to provide education and training for youth.

SOFEA is a nonprofit in the South Midlands and Thames Valley areas of England that operates a job training and education program for young people. Throughout its 10 years of operation, SOFEA has supported more than 400 young people in furthering their education and gaining work experience, while also reducing food insecurity in the broader community.

Three workers in the FareShare warehouse. One hands a certificate to another, while the third is behind them holding a paper. Photo credit: FareShare Thames Valley/SOFEA

The organization was founded in 2014 to make a difference in the lives of young people for whom traditional education wasn’t working. Challenges like substance abuse, domestic violence, learning differences, and mental health issues can make it difficult for some people to find success in traditional school. SOFEA’s program offers a promising alternative.

As a part of the SOFEA program, participants can gain real world employment experience in a warehouse setting through the partnership with FareShare. With 30 staff members and two large warehouses, FareShare Thames Valley redistributes more than 1,550 tonnes of food to South Oxfordshire charities from its base in Didcot. Students may work as drivers, customer service assistants, HR associates, or as mentors to other participants. They gain valuable experience while also ensuring that their neighbors have access to the nutritious food they need to reach their full potential.

Young people ages 14 to 24 can enroll in SOFEA’s services, which are based on three pillars: work, education, and well-being. To that end, the program partners with social workers, educators, parents, and local authority designated officers to create a holistic, tailored program that meets the often complex and varied needs of students. The goal is to ensure that students work on overcoming their specific challenges, regulate their behavior, and ultimately improve their employment experience and prospects.

One new project called Nourish and Flourish teaches participants how to cook using surplus food so that they can create meals for their fellow students. They can also learn or improve skills in food safety and the culinary arts to build their resumes for future employment in the hospitality industry. Nourish and Flourish program lead Kerry Locke said she is thrilled to launch the SOFEA Nourish and Flourish Kitchen to develop free nutritional support within the community and address barriers to healthy eating.

Photos courtesy of FareShare Thames Valley/SOFEA