Hygiene Certificate

[cliffy72]

Do you need a hygiene certificate if you are preparing food to give to homeless people. Our church does this once a month and we have been told that we will have to pay to go on a course to get one.

[BlackadderV]

Harken unto Job's Comforter.

[Gavmacp]

I have worked with the elderly and learning disability both groups are regarded as vulnerable. When dealing with food you need a hygiene certificate so why not the homeless?

[Gavmacp]

If I was homeless and I went into a cafe I would see peoples food and hygiene certificate. If I went to a restuarant I may see the certificates. Then I went to a church and asked if they had a certificate and was told no and I asked why what would you say?

[BlackadderV]

... and the reference in the King James Bible is ...

Job 16:2, wherein Job chastised his so-called friends for giving him advice which is less than helpful

[BlackadderV]

The classic example of a Job's comforter was the late Blanche of Corrie fame, who could always make a bad situation worse.

[Gavmacp]

Watched a tv programme about homeless people cared for a charity. When they were moved their clothes were put in black plastic bags. I would of done exactly the same. The homeless people asked for cheap suitcases that could be reused. Why because by using rubbish sacks it felt to them that their worldly goods were considered to be rubbish and that made them feel like they were worthless.

[Gavmacp]

Are they not people that due to unfortunate circumstances happen to be homeless.

[BlackadderV]

Has the phrase, "Beggars can't be choosers", disappeared from our lexicon? I do not mean that in any pejorative sense. Whenever I pass these unfortunate people I think, "There but for the Grace of God...". I know I may get conned by rogues, but I could not sleep at night if I hadn't done what was in in my limited power to ease their situations.

[Maydup]

^^^^ fine on an individual basis blackadder. The risk involved in one person helping his neighbour is minimal so you carry on.

Once an organisation sets up a kitchen, stores food in quantity and cooks it for large numbers they need support from many more volunteers to cook, clean and serve. The risks increase and systems need to be in place.

Whether or not they are homeless, people tend to trust the church. In this day and age, that includes trusting them not to make them sick.

[EDDIE51]

Blackadder if you are on benefits or a low income you can get a food hygiene certificate free, ask at your local job-centre. It is classed as improving your employment prospects. Your local 'adult education centre' should do the course for free as well if you are on benefits / low income .

[Retrochic]

Blackadders not on benefits -I've seen him driving around South Shields in his roller throwing out of date smoked salmon sarnies to the homeless ;-)