From Flavours to Futures: Skills Bank Grant Helps Ammi’s Kitchen Expand and Empower.
Funding from South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority for Sheffield community organisation Family Voice is helping migrant women overcome complex barriers to employment, thanks to a recently awarded grant from South Yorkshire Skills Bank.
Family Voice’s food social enterprise, Ammi’s Kitchen, received the funding from Skills Bank to invest in a bespoke training programme delivered by Sheffield Mind. The training is supporting 15 chefs at Ammi’s Kitchen, most of whom are migrant women who have experienced significant trauma and face multiple challenges when accessing work. The programme is designed to build wellbeing, workplace confidence, communication, and time management – vital skills that will help participants build on their experience at Ammi’s Kitchen and take the next step into independent employment or self-employment.
Laura Guymer, Assistant Director – Employment and Skills at SYMCA, said:
“Skills Bank is proud to support organisations like Family Voice and initiatives like Ammi’s Kitchen that combine enterprise with deep social impact. By funding this training, we’re not only helping individuals develop the skills and confidence needed to thrive in the workplace—we’re supporting a growing and inclusive social business that is creating real opportunities within the community.”
Ammi’s Kitchen provides a pathway into employment through its trauma-informed food hygiene training and paid employment in its community kitchen. Many of the chefs go on to secure work elsewhere, while others continue working at Ammi’s Kitchen or even start their own businesses. Demand for its services is growing, with regular catering requests, packed community lunches, and a waiting list of women eager to join.
Kate West, Co-Director of Family Voice, said:
“This grant has allowed us to invest in our incredible chefs—not just to build their skills and confidence, but to grow our enterprise sustainably so we can offer more opportunities to more women. We already know the value and potential of these women’s culinary talents. With the right support, we’re turning those skills into livelihoods.”
With the training under way, Ammi’s Kitchen is ready to expand. Plans are underway to launch new collaborations in Sheffield city centre, as well as expanding their product range to include chutneys and other items alongside their existing spice packs. They are also preparing to ramp up catering production and retain additional staff to support growth.
By supporting investment in tailored training, Skills Bank funding is playing a key role in unlocking potential and addressing the growing demand for socially driven, locally rooted enterprise. Ammi’s Kitchen is just one example of how this funding is helping people and organisations thrive across the region.