A team of Sodexo volunteers has visited River Garden Auchincruive in Ayrshire to provide practical support, culinary training and operational expertise to a charity helping people recover from drug and alcohol addiction.
River Garden provides a six-month residential recovery programme, combining professional therapeutic care with meaningful work and community engagement. Residents participate in horticulture, woodcraft workshops and activities at the charity’s Bothy Café, developing skills designed to support their recovery, independent living and future employment.
The visiting Sodexo team, comprising chefs and general services managers, worked alongside residents, staff and local volunteers to review the café’s operations, including labour management, menu planning and cost control.
The initiative aimed to identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, manage expenditure and increase the income generated by the café to support the charity’s wider activities.
During the two-day visit, Sodexo chefs delivered two culinary masterclasses for residents, focusing on preparing healthy, nutritious meals on a budget, making effective use of store cupboard ingredients, reducing food waste and managing food costs.
The sessions were designed to provide practical cooking skills that residents can use during their recovery and after completing the residential programme.
David Ward, member of Sodexo UK & Ireland’s Senior Culinary Leadership Team, said: “The visit to River Garden was inspiring. Seeing the grounds, the great community café and meeting the staff, volunteers and residents gave us a true understanding of the need for places like River Garden.
“Residents are learning how to grow produce and are using what they grow, alongside other local ingredients to create delicious dishes for visitors in the Bothy Café. It was great to be able to share our knowledge and experience and help review their practices in areas such as labour management, menu development and find ways to improve processes for the café so it runs more efficiently and ultimately makes more profit for River Garden.
“We were also able to share culinary skills and recipes the residents can take away with them. Our chefs are passionate about their craft, but just as importantly they love sharing their knowledge and helping others develop their skills and confidence in the kitchen. This two-day visit is only the start, our team will keep in touch with River Garden and organise follow-up visits to continue to support the charity, its residents and staff.”
Sodexo has an established presence in Scotland, providing food and facilities management services to organisations including independent schools, government agencies and energy companies.
The volunteers involved in the visit were David Ward, Sandro Ventisei, Jordan Lowe, Glen Miller, Lisa Pitcairn, Yvonne Slattery, Billie Hyslop, Adam Batterham, Lucy Wheelton and Laura Wilison.
Hugh Hill, Depute CEO/Director of Services and Development at Simon Community Scotland, said: “Partnering with the Sodexo has been a fantastic experience for the Bothy Café. Over the two days, their team worked closely with us to review our operations, identify our pinch points, and map out potential improvements to ensure every customer has a highly positive experience.
“Beyond the operational support, the amazing Laura Wilison led two fabulous demonstration sessions with our residents, sharing her skills through savoury and a sweet dish. We want to extend a huge thank you to all of the Sodexo team. You brought not just your outstanding expertise to River Garden, but a genuine love of food and incredibly big hearts.”
The volunteering initiative forms part of Sodexo’s wider community engagement activities and its Social Impact Pledge 2030.
Under the company’s volunteering policy, employees receive three paid days to support local and national charities aligned with its social impact commitments.
River Garden works in partnership with Simon Community Scotland, which supports people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness through accommodation, care, advice and other services.
Sodexo has confirmed that its team intends to maintain contact with River Garden and organise further visits to provide ongoing support to the charity, its residents and staff.
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