Anyone who has ever visited a Red Balloon Centre will know how important the kitchen is – it’s the heart of the house, not just a place for nutritious lunches to be made and shared.
When our Cambridge team moved into their second location at Norfolk Street there was sadly no kitchen, only a tiny coffee making area. This meant that they couldn’t offer students the usual range of healthy food that is so important in RB centres, and the sense of community that is built at lunchtimes through the sharing of food was difficult to maintain. It also meant that students were unable to gain vital life skills through learning to cook and helping in food preparation.
The team identified the most suitable room that could become the kitchen, but to do this also meant having to build a new room for the therapist. So they sent out a request for help, and an incredible bunch of local companies came to their aid and transformed the space.
Martin from Kitchensmiths made contact to see if the Centre wanted a kitchen that he was taking out that would otherwise be scrapped. The kitchen included all the units, inbuilt fridge freezer, inbuilt dishwasher, inbuilt oven, hob, splashback and extractor. They even arranged storage for a week and delivery through Peaks Storehouse. The delivery crew went above and beyond carrying all the units and appliances upstairs.
The only part of the kitchen that wasn’t supplied was the worktops. This is where Cliff from Snuggeries stepped in. He not only supplied the worktops for the kitchen but also two of his team to help fit the kitchen over two days and build the wall that was needed for the relocated therapy room. In addition David of David Syson Carpets supplied and fitted the kitchen flooring.
Thanks to these four incredible companies and their wonderful staff, the new kitchen is fully operational and ready to become the home of delicious meals, cooking lessons, life skills and tasty treats for students and staff alike.
A huge thank you to the incredible companies and individuals who donated time, items and expertise to make the creation of this kitchen possible. We can’t thank enough for your generous support.
Kitchensmiths, Peaks Storehouse, Snuggeries and David Syson Carpets
