NHS staff working at the vaccination centre based at Forth Valley College’s Stirling Campus were able to tuck into complimentary lunches at the Gallery Training Restaurant recently.

FVC re-opened The Gallery to the public on Monday 10 May – the first time since March 2020 – and were only too happy to offer NHS staff the opportunity to sample the students’ culinary efforts for free for a full week, in appreciation for their own outstanding efforts during the Covid pandemic.

It is understood that at least 12 staff who are working at the vaccination centre were regularly making use of the offer each day. All three of FVC’s Campuses in Stirling, Falkirk and Alloa are currently being used as vaccination centres.

Jillian Taylor, Operational Lead for NHS Forth Valley’s Covid-19 vaccination programme, said: “This was a lovely gesture which was much appreciated by local vaccination staff. Forth Valley College has been instrumental in the ongoing delivery of our Covid-19 vaccination programme by allowing us to use fantastic modern facilities in the three college campuses as local vaccination hubs and we really appreciate everything they have and continue to do to support this important work.”

Craig Anderson, FVC Business Development Manager, said: “On re-opening The Gallery on Monday 10 May we decided to offer the NHS vaccination team here at the Stirling Campus complimentary lunches for a full week. As we are all aware the NHS have been the backbone of United Kingdom’s recovery from the pandemic and this is our way of saying thanks.

“As we continue to recover from the pandemic our top priority is to provide our returning students with the necessary opportunities that will allow them to fulfil the practical elements of their qualification. The NHS using the Gallery during this week allowed us to do that in a safe and controlled manner.

“The re-opening of the Gallery is the first time the restaurant has been open since March 2020 and we cannot wait to welcome all of our customers back later this summer. We will continue to follow the Scottish Government guidelines and plan to re-open the Gallery fully in August 2021. Keep an eye on our social media platforms for further updates.”

The main photo around a table in the Gallery Training Restaurant shows (from left to right) SVQ Hospitality student Sophie Cumming (17) from Menstrie, NHS Vaccinator Roddy Wells, Iain Calder FVC’s EPOS Coordinator and Level 2 Professional Cookery student Paige Shaw (18) from Larbert.

For more information on the Gallery Restaurant and to book a table call 01786 40602. To find out more about FVC’s Hospitality and Cookery courses visit https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/courses/hospitality-and-cookery