Young people from Cornwall Rural Community Charity’s (CRCC) Learn Your Way and Work Your Way programmes took centre stage last week, preparing and hosting a banquet for more than 60 guests and stakeholders to showcase the skills and confidence they’ve developed over the past year.
As part of a programme of activity marking the charity’s 80th anniversary year, the event held at Old Bakery Studios in Truro on Thursday 2 July, brought together representatives from organisations including GWR, Cornwall Council, Watergate Bay, Sea Space, Yallah Coffee, Penwith Carers, Geevor Tin Mine and the Great Cornish Food Store, alongside the Mayor of Newquay and Deputy Mayor of Truro.
The banquet was prepared and delivered by eight students from CRCC’s Learn Your Way (LYW) and Work Your Way (WYW) programmes. Together, these fully funded programmes support young people aged 16–24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) to build independence, gain Level 2 qualifications, develop practical skills and take part in supported work placements, helping them progress into employment and everyday life with confidence.
From menu planning and food preparation to front-of-house service, teamwork and communication, the students took the lead in every aspect of the event, demonstrating the real-world skills they’ve gained throughout the course.
Katherine Nissen, CEO of CRCC, said: “As we mark our 80th anniversary year, this event is a powerful reminder of the impact our work continues to have across Cornwall’s communities and beyond.
Seeing these young people take the lead and showcase their skills with such confidence highlights exactly why the programmes we deliver, such as Learn Your Way and Work Your Way, are so important – not only for the individuals involved, but for the future of our communities and local workforce. We are incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved.”
The programmes are delivered in partnership with the Cornwall Hospitality Collective (CHC), helping to create clear pathways into Cornwall’s hospitality sector and beyond.
James Cavanagh-Shaddock, Director at Cornwall Hospitality Collective, said: “Working with CRCC on these education programmes allows us to support young people to gain meaningful, transferable skills while also connecting them with local employers. The standard on display at this event shows just how impactful the programme is – not only for the young people involved, but for businesses looking to build an inclusive and skilled workforce.”
Over 40 students have been on the programmes this year and the impact is significant, with more than 95% of participants in 2025 progressing into employment, further education, internships or voluntary work.
Martin Prodger, Engagement and Development Manager at CRCC leading the programmes, said: “What we’re seeing through Learn Your Way and Work Your Way is real, measurable impact – young people building confidence, gaining recognised qualifications and developing the skills employers are looking for. Events like this are a key part of that journey, giving students the chance to apply those skills in a real-world setting and show what they’re capable of.”
Layla G, age 19, a student on the Learn Your Way programme, said: “I really love coming to Learn Your Way, the course has helped me increase my independence and confidence. Working at the event at the Old Bakery Studios has really helped me and I am thinking about going into the hospitality industry.”
Beyond its education and training programmes, CRCC plays a much wider – yet often unseen – role in supporting communities across Cornwall and beyond. In 2025, the charity supported more than 4,000 unpaid carers and 5,600 residents, helped young people into work and delivered hundreds of community projects, investing over £4 million into communities through initiatives spanning education, environmental projects, and health and wellbeing services, including Cornwall Carers Service, the Rural Housing Enabler programme, Clean Cornwall, and Fishing Animateur.
Working closely with partners across the public, private, and voluntary sectors, including the NHS, Cornwall Council, DEFRA, Seafarer’s Charity and the Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum, CRCC helps strengthen local infrastructure and reduces pressure on public services through strengthening communities and supporting people to thrive.
The banquet is one of a number of events taking place throughout CRCC’s 80th anniversary year throughout 2026, which celebrates eight decades of strengthening communities and supporting people to thrive across Cornwall. Further activity includes a major fundraising campaign which features an 80-mile coastal walk challenge and an anniversary gala in November.
For more information on CRCC’s work, visit cornwallrcc.org.uk.
