REACH Award 2024 winner Sophie reflects on her 'Grand' five-year journey with York College

Sophie started out at Sim Balk Lane as a Pathways to Work and Independent Living student at the age of 16 and, five years on, she will be leaving us having gone on to study two more courses, as the winner of our 2024 Business, Tourism and Hospitality Student of the Year prize and with aspirations of one day opening her own “Sophie’s Risotto Restaurant!”

Further highlighting the journey she has undergone since arriving at York College with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), Sophie has now lived independently for more than a year and, alongside her Hospitality studies, has flourished during work experience stints with The Grand Hotel and Café West in the City of York Council offices, whilst also volunteering two days a week at the Peter Pan Charity Shop in Sherburn.

It’s always sad to wave goodbye to students with Sophie now in the final week of an adult Barista Skills course with us, but we are confident that we haven’t heard the last of her, as she considers whether her next steps will be seeking full-time employment or taking up the offer of a supported one-year internship from Choices College in Friargate, where she would spend one day a week studying Maths, English and Employability Skills and four days on work placement, while receiving full mentorship and coaching.

Reflecting on her award-winning time at York College and future ambitions, Sophie enthused: “Winning the REACH Award was definitely my proudest moment. I was so happy and it was such a good night.

“College has helped me realise what I want to do in the future. I want to work in hospitality and the course and work experience have gained me the confidence to do that.

“I always liked cooking. We did a bit on the Pathways course and I like to cook at home but, during my Hospitality course, I’ve enjoyed learning how to cook new dishes, like risotto.

“I’d like to find a job and my dream would be to have my own restaurant one day – maybe I could call it Sophie’s Risotto Restaurant!”

The Pathways course offers a personal and flexible approach to learning designed to meet a student’s individual needs.

Units include Effective Communication; Preparing for Work Placement; Healthy Living - including a weekly session of physical activity; Working as a Team;  Searching and Applying for a Job; Personal Finance; Enterprise and Domestic Cooking.

Students also complete a Candidate Project and a Community Project, while studying Maths and English at a level suitable for their needs.

Looking back on the two years she spent on the Pathways course, Sophie said: “The tutors and staff at College were all very helpful and supportive.

“I really liked doing the performances we put on, too. We did one at Christmas and I played an Elf on the Shelf!”

Sophie’s first taste of work experience came when she was on the Pathways course at Café West, where she reported for duty one day a week over a five-month period.

“I was serving and making drinks,” she explained. “I was quite nervous at first, but my confidence levels went up.”

Having made a brilliant impression on representatives from The Grand, as they attended last year’s REACH Awards and sponsored the prize she won, Sophie was then invited to work at the five-star hotel over a six-week period this year.

She worked in the Rise Restaurant, which mainly serves Afternoon Teas, and added: “I was a bit nervous at first but gradually got used to it and it’s gone well. I was doing napkin folding, clearing tables and washing up, but the thing I enjoyed most was talking to the customers.

“It has really helped my communication skills, which working at Café West and at the Peter Pan Charity Shop has done as well. I’ve learned so many skills during my times on work experience.

“I put toys on shelves and price them for the charity shop. I also sort through the donations and we get a lot!

“The money that is raised goes to children and families with additional needs. I’m also a good team player and like being helpful.

“If I get stuck, I always ask for help and say, ‘What does this mean?’ or ‘How do I do this?’”

The Level 2 Barista Skills qualification, menawhile, has seen Sophie assessed on her ability to make seven different drinks.

“I’ve really enjoyed it,” she declared. “We make coffee, but also smoothies and other drinks like hot chocolate.”

Sophie also offered advice for anybody with an EHCP who is considering coming to York College, just as she did five years ago.  

“Don’t be nervous,” she reassured. “Everybody here is very nice and supportive.”

York College & University Centre Learning Support Mentor Caroline Hardware has been a key member of that well-being network during Sophie’s time on Campus and has been thrilled to witness the progress she has made.

“I initially supported Sophie in a classroom before I became a mentor and I have seen her confidence grow massively,” a beaming Caroline said. “It has been really lovely to see how successful she has been and I’m really proud of her.”

Chris Pickard, Manager of The Grand’s Rise Restaurant, has been equally as impressed by Sophie, adding: “We are very pleased that Sophie has completed her six-week work experience with us and her positive attitude and strong work ethic really stood out.”

To learn more about York College’s Pathways to Work & Independent Living course, please click here

For details on all the Learning Support we can provide for students, visit here

Information on our Hospitality courses can be found here

You can find out everything you need to know about all of our courses and Learning Support provision and meet our tutors at our next Open Event on Tuesday 7th October from 5.30pm to 8pm. Register a place here