VOLUNTEERS from a community project and residents from a sheltered housing scheme have taken part in a free food safety course.

The training was organised by housing provider Derwentside Homes, which owns the Castle Court independent living scheme in Annfield Plain where the course took place.

Among those taking part were seven Castle Court residents, including 67-year-old Peter Scott who said: “We organise a lot of social events here at Castle Court which we like to cater for so we were really keen to do the training.

“In the past we’ve held quizzes, games nights, carpet bowls and bingo and because we have a great communal kitchen here we usually provide a proper cooked meal for everyone attending.”

The training, which was funded by Durham County Council’s Adult Learning and Skills Service through the Skills Funding Agency and European Social Fund, is just one of a range of initiatives offered by Derwentside Homes’ Brighter Futures project, which aims to support local unemployed people into work or training by offering information and advice and providing opportunities to gain new skills and qualifications.

Eileen Stemp, of Consett-based Fane, which delivered the training, said: “Gaining this qualification will really increase the participants’ employability, especially when it comes to looking for work in cafes, restaurants or in the food manufacturing industry.

“Most of these businesses will require their employees to have this qualification so gaining it now will give our trainees the edge when it comes to an interview situation, and give them confidence that they have the right skills for the job.”