As part of our ongoing partnership with the SEN department at Heart of Worcestershire College, we were thrilled to welcome students back into our Worcester Day Centre kitchen this week for a very special session.
In honour of the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the students took a step back in time to recreate recipes inspired by the wartime era. Our lunch guests were treated to a hearty serving of Woolton Pie, a traditional dish created during rationing. Made with plenty of vegetables and topped with a golden potato pastry crust, the pie was both comforting and symbolic of a time when communities pulled together through difficult circumstances — something that deeply resonates with our work today.
To finish, the students surprised us with a stunning fresh fruit Union Jack cake, a colourful and delicious tribute that brought smiles all around the dining hall.
This activity is part of a wider partnership between Maggs and the college’s SEN department, where students from the Heart of Worcestershire College join us each Thursday to prepare and serve lunch to our guests. Not only does this provide meaningful, real-world experience for the students, but it brings warmth, energy, and community spirit into our Day Centre.
“It’s been a joy to watch this partnership grow,” said Melissa Blewitt, Fundraising, Communications and Relationships Manager at Maggs. “Each week, the students bring thoughtfulness, creativity and care to everything they do — and this VE Day celebration was no exception. They’re not just serving meals, they’re helping to create a sense of dignity and community for people who need it most.”
You can read more about our partnership with The Base and the amazing work they do in our previous feature here.
A huge thank you to the students, tutors and everyone involved — and, of course, to our guests for making this celebration one to remember.
