The YMCA Dulverton Group has adapted its services to support the local community through the coronavirus pandemic, repurposing the role of its catering team and The Beach Hotel in Minehead and Great Western Hotel in Taunton.
The Beach Hotel in Minehead has become a temporary home to vulnerable people from the area who were homeless. The hotel is currently accommodating 26 individuals, providing a safe and secure place to self-isolate.
Residents staying at the Beach Hotel and across YMCA accommodation are being given three meals a day, prepared and distributed by the YMCA Catering team, who have adapted the on-site kitchen and facilities at Yew Trees Nursery in Axbridge.
Leading the YMCA Catering team are chefs Amira Sleigh and Angus Martin who have over forty years combined experience in the catering industry; both joining YMCA Dulverton Group in 2019 managing Early Years and Hospitality Catering respectively.
Angus Martin, formerly head chef as Fortnum and Mason Piccadilly, explained: “We are fortunate to have at the YMCA a team of Chefs who have stepped up to the mark when asked and have bonded and formed a strong brigade. I am so proud of them all and going forward we know we can achieve anything, however big the obstacle.”
Food donations have been delivered to the Great Western Hotel in Taunton, where the team have also been accommodating key workers to give them safe space to isolate away from their families while they continue their frontline work.
Anyone within the local community who would like to help YMCA Dulverton Group should get in touch by emailing: info@ymca-dg.org.
