How my son is saving for a trip to Ecuador

flea72

bizzielizzie wrote: »

No dead customers so far!! Yay! I did check out the laws actually and it says that there is no need for formal training or a formal certificate but that supervision or on the job training will suffice. The guidelines are very comprehensive. That said he has done an online course and is booked onto a physical course. Fair comment from you.

To sell food you, need to have your premises inspected by environmental health. It's very simple and is more or less common sense stuff.

You are also now running a business from your home, so would need to inform your insurance company. If you drive your son anywhere with his food, you ned business car insurance. If dealing with food, I would take out liability insurance.

These things aren't expensive, but could end up costing you more than the cost of the trip, if anything should happen.

Perhaps this is why very few people have hit upon the idea. All good,luck to your son, but there's too many pitfalls that you aren't considering

bestpud

I agree you need to have your kitchen passed by the council in order to prepare and sell food.

It doesn't need to be industrial quality so I'm sure it won't be a problem but it needs doing.

Do you have a food hygiene certificate? I don't know for sure but I'd have thought at least one of you would need one...

Well done to your son for taking the initiative but he should also be aware of the law.

toadhall

my daughter did a similar thing last summer, to Kenya, I agree that its a good way of learning the value of money, she did sponsor events, took over all refreshments at school for every evening event (parents evenings, meetings, concerts etc..) with her team and wrote for sponsorship to local companies. She raised her £3000 needed and got so much out of a month in Kenya. She is now at uni and the experiences last year has put her in good stead for the future.
I agree its a lot of money though.

chazsucks

Well I think he is lucky to have such amazing parents and I think it's a fantastic way to earn his own money.

This is an online food hygiene course and it's only £15. I know a lot of childminders etc who have done it and been approved by the council etc http://www.virtual-college.co.uk/products/food-hygiene-catering.aspx?A=469&B=2&SubAffiliateID=CMH1Target=%22_blank%22

Hope he enjoys his trip

ChloeLou

Hi, I'm new here - please be nice!

I just wanted to offer some advice - I did one of these things a few years ago (although I was teaching English, not building a school!). I would say that you really needn't worry about getting your home inspected by the council. Very often these 'inspections' are just a phonecall anyway! I found when I was fundraising (£4850, just like you), people are happy to help and really it's no different to hosting a children's birthday party - you don't get inspected before you bake a birthday cake! Also, it's not a 'business' since you're raising money for charity and you can do it under their name.

In order to raise the money I held bake sales at college and at town events (e.g. the town fayre). I did a sponsored walk (Yorkshire 3 peaks) and other events such as a games night or jumble sale. Also, write to charitable trusts to ask for donations - they can be very generous. Fundraising is tough but every little counts. Don't forget to budget for spending money while he's there and vaccines etc before he goes. Unexpected costs do arise like walking boots or a good quality sleeping bag so be prepared for that.

Finally, I just want to make sure your son is getting the best deal. For £4850 in 2010 I got a FULL year in China, with living costs (food, in country travel, pocket money) paid for by the charity I went with and flights, accommodation and insurance included. This also included support when fundraising (advice on contacting charitable trusts and how to go about fundraising such a huge amount), training at a purpose-built training centre and more importantly, an 'in-country rep' who could assist us (they were British but fluent in Mandarin) and keep our family in the loop should anything go wrong (it didn't!). We also had a few months at the end of the school year to travel around China and see the sights. The year taught me a lot about myself and about life; staying in a community for a year rather than a few weeks allows you to become accepted as more than just 'the rich foreigner'. I made amazing friends and it totally changed my ambitions and I am certain he will have a brilliant time. Good luck to him!!


(PM me if you want the name of the charity I went with - they do trips to Asia, Africa and South America doing all sorts e.g. teaching, building, medicine, social care - I won't post the name here as don't want to be accused of promoting!)