Community Program Gives People Experiencing Homelessness a Pathway into Employment

Launch Housing has partnered with the Plate Up Project to support people experiencing homelessness gain new skills and a pathway into employment. 

The Plate Up Project is an initiative by the Melbourne Homeless Collective a charity providing a range of support, blankets, sanitary items and food to people experiencing homelessness in major Australian cities.

The 12-week program is the first training program that trains participants as well as employers. It is designed to upskill individuals by offering formal training to acquire a Responsible Service of Food Certificate.

This hospitality qualification provides a pathway to stable employment, which decreases the likelihood of individuals returning to abusive relationships due to financial instability.

Launch Housing Wellbeing Team Leader has helped implement the program at Launch Housing’s Southbank Crisis Accommodation service.

She comments: “It has been amazing to see the positive impact participating has had not only on the mental health and wellbeing of the participants, but also the clear link to sustaining housing.”

Why did Donna start the Plate Up Project?

Learn about Donna’s passion for health and nutrition and hear from the women at Launch Housing Southbank who participate in the program.

Ultimately, this inspiring community program provides an avenue for women to gain a qualification as well as reconnect with a love food and cooking.

 The Australian Homelessness Monitor reveals an alarming 27% of service users from 2016-17 accessed services because of domestic and family violence.

The Plate Up Project emphasises learning new skills in a fun and flexible way for clients at our Southbank service site.

During the program participants were enthusiastic about the outings to the market and restaurants as well as cooking with well-known chefs.

The next Plate Up Program will start on the 28 of August for eight weeks.