Finding confidence, connection and purpose through volunteering

Change Kitchen's Gen22 Food & Social Action Project gives unemployed and NEET young people aged 16–24 in Birmingham the chance to gain 30 hours of supported volunteering experience with award-winning catering social enterprise ChangeKitchen CIC. 

Young people can develop practical kitchen, teamwork and communication skills, build confidence, strengthen their CV and gain a valuable work reference, while making a positive contribution to their local community. The experience is tailored to their interests and supported by a welcoming team throughout.

Amaan (pictured accepting a certificate from Change Kitchen's James Leach) took part in the last programme. His mum, Sehreen, shares her experience of seeing Amaan take part, the difference it made to his confidence and skills, and what the opportunity meant to him.

“My son Amaan is an exceedingly kind and hardworking individual. He always thinks the best of people and gives his utmost effort regardless of his circumstances or situations. He will go out of his way for others weather he physically can or not. He was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder when he was 10 years old. He has learning difficulties and communicating difficulties.

Unfortunately, when Covid hit and the whole world went into lockdown, Amaan got ill. Due to the delay in being seen and getting treatment after 6 months he ended up with lifelong mobility difficulties. He got nerve damage below both ankles resulting in paralysis in both feet. He lost a lot of muscle in his legs and arms. Because he is tall, he finds it difficult to balance without physical support. He lost the ability to write, clothe himself, feed himself. He found it difficult to do the everyday tasks he did daily. His hands had clawed up, and he could not move his fingers due to muscle weakness.

Due to safety concerns at college, he did not have many options on which courses he could pursue. He also did not secure the Maths and English level 3 requirements to apply for apprenticeship opportunities.

Amaan does not go places he is not familiar with alone. He always has me or his dad with him. There are some places he likes to go alone to, to buy his favourite Boba drinks or buy his anime collectibles.

Recently we found out that there were volunteering opportunities available at ChangeKitchen CIC, helping in the kitchen environment. When I told Amaan about this he was very excited as it is something that he loves being able to do. We contacted James and were asked to come and introduce ourselves and to go over any concerns that could arise if Amaan were to volunteer at ChangeKitchen CIC.

Amaan was a bit nervous because he had faced obstacles in other settings which ended up in him having to not continue there. But once we went and Amaan had a look around and spoke to James his concern was no longer there. He really looked forward to his first shift. What was even more advantageous was that we live on the same road as where ChangeKitchen CIC are based. It is a 2-minute walk so commuting is not a problem. When Amaan had his first shift he was excited, and when he came home, he was happy, he enjoys being part of a work environment as well as being part of a team.

The opportunity has given him the chance of being part of something that he enjoys the most. He was particularly excited about being asked to help at The Workplace Event at the NEC. He really enjoyed working with the team and talking about what was made and serving customers. He now looks forward to his shift times at ChangeKitchen CIC. It gives him the opportunity to be a part of an organisation and being part of a team.”           

SOURCE: Sehreen, Amma’s mum, April 2026

About ChangeKitchen CIC

ChangeKitchen CIC is an award-winning social enterprise event catering company specialising in climate-friendly menus prepared with passion & kindness.

Our positive social impact comes from supporting people back to work & cooking healthy free community meals for those impacted by the cost of living crisis. We also work collaboratively with food partners to reduce food waste and improve food justice across Birmingham.