Crystal Palace Football Club donate £1,000 to create cooking classes for homeless people

Crystal Palace F.C. and it’s charitable arm, the Palace for Life Foundation, are working with leading London charity Evolve Housing + Support to launch a 12-week cooking course for homeless people in Croydon.

Led by two Evolve residents with culinary experience, the course aims to teach vital life skills for former rough sleepers and those with complex needs in supported housing.

“I feel like I can actually see a light at the end of my tunnel now,” said Evolve Homeless resident, Ryan.

Evolve Director of Operations, Alice Hainsworth, said: “The trauma of homelessness can have a terrible effect on a person, but often people just need support to become independent again.

Those supported by the course include those who have suffered from chronic rough sleeping and drug abuse.

“Cooking skills are an incredibly important part of learning to become independent again,” said Mrs Hainsworth.

“They provide employable skills and confidence that can help put them back on the road to self-reliance.”

The donated money comes from Palace Kitchen, a project which provided over 15,000 meals to local vulnerable people who had to stay at home during the pandemic.

They are supported by Crystal Palace fans and stakeholders.

Mrs Hainsworth added, “Projects like this go beyond our regular food donations because they have a lasting impact on those involved.”

Ryan said that he had a good life before becoming homeless shortly after his father died.

“I had kids, a nice house in the country, which I worked hard for, a car, a job as a chef and a beautiful wife.

“Events like today make a big difference.

“I feel like I can actually see a light at the end of my tunnel now.”