15th September 2020

    Pilgrims’ catering team celebrates college award

    Pilgrims Hospice has won Canterbury College’s Outstanding Employer Award 2020. The award is the first of its kind and was given to Pilgrims’ catering department for its quality of student work placements.

    Pilgrims’ Catering Services Manager, Ian Ashton, commented: “We’re delighted to receive this award from Canterbury College and have the department’s work recognised.

    “I believe the work experience students gain at Pilgrims are an essential part of their education. It is a privilege to help them learn new skills and develop their future careers.”

    Pilgrims has partnered with colleges in east Kent for more than a decade and the catering team has welcomed dozens of students through its doors in recent years.

    What started as students making afternoon tea for volunteers, staff and patients rapidly developed into work placements in the hospice kitchens.

    We’re delighted to receive this award from Canterbury College.

    Ian Ashton – Pilgrims Hospices Catering Services Manager

    Many former Pilgrims’ students have gone on to enjoy successful careers in catering and some enjoyed their work experience so much they stayed on!

    Abbie Kay, East Kent College’s Industry Liaison Officer, says: “The placements and opportunities that Pilgrims have assisted us with allow our students to learn in the industry that they are studying. 

    “They also give students a sense of helping out and many of our students have some sort of personal connection with Pilgrims Hospices.”

    Ian adds: “Without my team, these opportunities couldn’t be offered to students, so I would like to thank them for all they do. I’d also like thank Canterbury College for this award – it’s nice for the department’s work to be recognised outside the organisation.”

    Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the 2020 Employer Awards ceremony could not go ahead as planned. Instead, the college created a digital experience for this year’s eight winners, which included a video message from the college’s Principal and an Employer Awards webpage.

    Congratulations to Ian and the catering team for winning this prestigious award!

    If you would like to find out more about working with Pilgrims Hospices click here. Our volunteering opportunities can be found here.


    Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,500 people in east Kent who are coming to terms with an illness that sadly cannot be cured.  The charity support patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress. 

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