Join The Team: Food Educator at HMP Manchester
We are looking for a fantastic Food Educator to come on board and run a 2-month full-time cooking course in the kitchenettes based on the living units at HMP Manchester. This is a unique opportunity to teach groups of men how to cook and eat well. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Job Title: Food Educator
Location: HMP Manchester, 1 Southall Street, Cheetham Hill, Manchester, M60 9AH
Hours: 36 hours per week across 4 days (Monday-Thursday)
Contract Type: Freelance
Contract Length: 2 months
Remuneration: £600 per week
Start Date: January 2024 (subject to vetting)
About us
Food Behind Bars is the leading charity dedicated to transforming the food served in British prisons. We deliver a variety of services and projects at men’s and women’s prisons across the UK, including cookery classes, menu development, food growing, baking and butchery. Our activities cover every aspect of food, cooking, eating and hospitality. We work with prisons on a bespoke basis, co-designing original initiatives that enable prisons to champion wholesome, tasty and exciting food. Our work is shaped around each unique establishment and united by our philosophy of wholesome food for everyone in society.
Job purpose
We are looking for a dynamic and inspiring Food Educator to deliver an exciting 2-month project at HMP Manchester. You will be responsible for delivering a set of cookery classes to groups of prisoners on each wing of the prison, which have recently been installed with brand new kitchenette facilities.
Each session will be part of our Food 360 course - an integrated programme of food education that takes participants on a journey through food which ultimately leaves them more confident, connected and healthier. The aim of Food 360 is to influence, excite and inspire individuals around food, allowing them to make healthier choices and equipping them with skills and ideas to utilise beyond release.
You will be responsible for leading this programme at HMP Manchester, which will take the form of 3-3.5 hour classes delivered twice daily in the prison. You will have the opportunity to teach participants how to make a variety of dishes - previous examples of our Food 360 sessions include “One chicken, three ways”, “Store cupboard cookery” and “Healthy baking”. Prisoners will be encouraged to cook, eat and learn together.
Responsibilities
Deliver a set of practical and engaging cooking classes to groups of between 6-8 prisoners at HMP Manchester.
Work with the prisoners on their individual goals, adapting the course to support their needs and requirements.
Help design each Food 360 session to make them as exciting and thoughtful as possible.
Organise food deliveries to ensure we have all the appropriate ingredients to deliver the sessions.
Liaise with prison staff to ensure classes run smoothly and work alongside the existing prison regime.
Assist the FBB team in recruiting prisoners to attend the sessions.
Requirements
A passionate and experienced trained chef who is looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful impact through food.
An advocate for healthy eating and positive food practices.
An understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable individuals relating to food access, diet and wellbeing.
A positive can-do attitude and a desire to use their skill set to make a difference.
An ability to approach all situations with confidence, flexibility and an open mind.
Experience of previous cookery teaching is desired but not essential.
Additional information
This is a short-term contract position which lasts for 2 months.
All working hours will be based at HMP Manchester.
The successful candidate will have to go through the Ministry of Justice security clearance before commencing employment.
Subject to successful security clearance, the successful candidate will also have to attend a one-week key training course at HMP Manchester.