Collaborating UKHarvest with Plan B, Gosport, to support alternative educational programmes 

Based in Gosport, Hampshire, Plan B is a  an alternative provision supporting children and young people who are unable to engage in mainstream schools. Now that UKHarvest’s operations extend across Hampshire, the food waste and rescue charity have collaborated closely with Plan B, across a wide range of the provisions services, using food as the medium. 

Since UKHarvest’s project with VIVID Housing Association and Hampshire County Council began last year, the growth in engagement across many communities is testament to the ongoing need for surplus food to be rescued and redistributed to charities and organisations that need it most. Plan B has worked closely with UKHarvest, having received regular food donations of fresh and ambient ingredients, used in their kitchen to support the life skills and food tech programmes. Plan B also supports UKHarvest through redistribution of donations across Gosport to charities such as Gosport Pantry and Marvels and Meltdowns.

Jonathan Cox, coordinator of the Hampshire project for UKHarvest has shared that ‘It has been an absolutely joy to have connected with John and Vikki and their team at Plan B. Not only is the Alternative provision an inspiration, but the students are able to achieve so much more in an educational setting befitting their needs. We’re delighted to have made this connection and hope to work more with the team and students in the coming months,’ 

This summer, UKHarvest has donated a large amount of industrial kitchen equipment, from hot cupboards to fridge freezers, supporting a new project for Plan B staff and pupils. Plan B plans to use the equipment to start their own cafe, where students will learn front of house, business operations and kitchen skills through a pathway to employment scheme, as well as create meals and snacks for the cafe to sell. Any money made will go back in to support the students’ educational programmes and to UKHarvest as a kind gesture for UKHarvest’s ongoing support. 

Principal and founder of the school, John Gillard has shared that “Working with UK harvest has allowed us to extend our support to students and their families, and ultimately our reach into the community in which we work. The food we receive is used in 3 ways. Firstly, it is used in Plan B's kitchen to help educate and train our students in the catering industry through producing meals and snacks daily for all on site. Our students also use fresh ingredients to prepare family dinners to take home and reheat. all done by themselves, under the guidance of our kitchen manager. UKH food is also redistributed as raw ingredients to the families of our beneficiaries and members of our wider community, helping to top up their weekly shop. Not only has UKH saved Plan B money from our large, weekly food budget, but also that of the families we work with, ensuring a healthy, balanced and nutritious diet which had often been lacking. The feedback from recipients has been heartwarming and with UKH support, has shown Plan B provision stretch even further into homes and society.”