Pupils serve up contribution to social enterprise project

10 F5 (S5) pupils at the school are currently using some of their free periods to visit the Health & Food Technology department and take part in the Food Train’s Meal Makers scheme, through which volunteers prepare portions of their home-cooked food for an older neighbour.

So far the group have made around 100 dishes for distribution to the elderly in the local community, including fruit crumble, sticky toffee pudding, vegetable curry, jam sponge, and pea and ham soup.

The Health & Food Technology department decided to offer the pupils the chance to get involved in the project after being inspired by the efforts of the School’s Head of Modern Languages, Neil MacKinnon, who cooks meals for an elderly neighbour daily.

Health & Food Technology Teacher Ottilie Anderson is running the activity as an enrichment option and has been thrilled to see the pupils jump at the chance to get involved in such a worthwhile initiative.

She said, “Through discussion with Neil, we decided that this project would be great to be involved in, as pupils would be learning skills in cooking and giving back to the community through social enterprise.

“I feel this project empowers the pupils to help give something back to the local community during these difficult times and they have really embraced that goal.

“I’m delighted that the department and the pupils have been able to get involved.”

Grant Simmons, Regional Manager (Dundee and Perth & Kinross) with the Food Train, said, “The Food Train is delighted to be working in partnership with The High School of Dundee and very much appreciated the efforts from the pupils and staff to bring this idea together.

“Our older members across the city will welcome some nutritional homemade food.”

The pupils will continue preparing food throughout this school year, and Ottilie hopes to continue the project into next session as well.

The Food Train is a registered charity, voluntary organisation and social enterprise which aims to help make daily life easier for older people, providing vital services to those who are no longer able to manage independently, through age, ill health, frailty or disability. You can find out more about its work at: https://www.thefoodtrain.co.uk