Council Leader hears about sensory garden plans during festive lunch at Cherry Tree Café

New City College’s Cherry Tree Café was delighted to welcome special guest Redbridge Council Leader Kam Rai for a festive lunch this week.

Councillor Rai popped into the welcoming café in Woodbine Place, Wanstead, to meet the staff and students, sample the delicious food and enjoy the friendly atmosphere.

Since becoming Leader of the Council earlier this year, Cllr Rai has been keen to visit schools, organisations and businesses within the local community and speak to as many local people as possible.

The Cherry Tree Café is proudly run by NCC’s SEND students on the Foundation Learning programme and the visit gave them an excellent opportunity to showcase their skills and welcome Cllr Rai into the warm and inclusive environment that has been created.

A Redbridge councillor for 10 years who has lived and raised his children in the borough, Cllr Rai said: “I feel so fortunate to represent the place I call home, where we have outstanding schools, safe neighbourhoods, and wonderful parks.

“Redbridge is a special place, with close-knit and welcoming communities, busy high streets, beautiful green spaces and lots to do – we really have everything we need right on our doorstep, with more on the way.”

He was impressed with the dedication of the students and staff, the food and the service that he received and was interested in hearing about the plans the café has to develop and create an outstanding new sensory garden area for the local community.

Regular customer Carrolle Jamieson says she always enjoys her visits to the café. She said: “It’s definitely worth coming to for something to eat or just a drink. It’s got good quality food and a very nice ambience. Everyone I have brought here has loved it. The students are very kind and friendly and I like watching how they are progressing with their cooking and service skills.”

The Cherry Tree Café is open to all and provides affordable meals and drinks, such as breakfast, lunch and coffee with cake.

New City College students, who all have additional learning needs, are provided with practical hands-on work experience enabling and empowering them to gain valuable employability, social and customer service skills.

Students on Foundation Learning courses at Epping Forest campus work at the café on a Monday, students from Redbridge campus run it on a Wednesday and students from Ardleigh Green Campus in Havering work there on a Friday.

Why not pop along to the café for a bite to eat or a cuppa? Click here for information