Matthew’s college journey fuels future in catering and cricket
The 21-year-old achieved a distinction in his Professional Food Service diploma at Coleg Llandrillo, and is coaching disability cricket having played to a high level
Matthew Kennedy’s confidence has soared during his five years at Coleg Llandrillo - and he is now looking forward to a career in hospitality as well as coaching disability cricket.
Matthew achieved a distinction in his Level 3 Diploma in Food & Beverage Service Supervision this summer, having started his journey in the college’s Independent Living Skills (ILS) department during the pandemic.
The 21-year-old from Old Colwyn is diagnosed with Developmental Coordination Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Joint Hypermobility Syndrome. When he enrolled at college he was unsure of navigating the Rhos-on-Sea campus, and wanted to build confidence while sitting his English GCSE.
After blossoming during two years in the ILS programme - and achieving a C in his English - Matthew felt ready to pursue his ambition to work in catering.
He progressed to Level 1 Hospitality, enjoying success in culinary competitions and eventually completing the Level 3 qualification, which saw him help manage the college’s Orme View restaurant - with his passion, professionalism and leadership praised by tutors.
His mum Debra said: “Those two years in ILS did wonders for Matthew’s confidence, and were a really good groundwork to get him ready for his Level 1 in the catering department. Since then he's gone way way higher than I thought he would, and to come out with distinctions is amazing.”
Matthew praised his hospitality lecturers, especially Mike Garner and Glennydd Hughes, saying: “I learned a lot from them, and they were very supportive. It was brilliant to know that if I had an issue, I could go and speak to them and they’d be able to help or adapt something so I could continue with my studies.”
During his time in college, Matthew also gained qualifications in Application of Number (AoN), Digital Literacy and Employability Skills.
Debra said: “When he started at college, Matthew’s maths skills were E/F grade, and he struggled with various things including telling the time and money.
“Throughout the time in college, he has completed his AoN, going from Entry 3 Level to Level 1 and partially completing the Level 2. He has also completed Level 2 Digital Literacy and Level 2 in Employability Skills.
"The support he has had from the skills tutors has been fantastic and he has achieved so much more than expected. These valuable Essential Skills qualifications will allow him to develop and achieve in his future catering career.”
Away from college, Matthew plays for North Wales Mixed Ability Cricket Section (MACS), competing at the Super 9s county level against the likes of Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire.
Following their first season in the competition back in 2022, he and the rest of the team were awarded Welsh caps by Cricket Wales, after they upset the odds by reaching the final against a much more established Yorkshire side.
In this year’s competition, Matthew was the top wicket-taker across all teams, while the all-rounder also scored a couple of 50s - the maximum single knock in disability cricket.
Having played since the age of 11, and aided by the confidence he built at college, for the past four years Matthew has been giving back to the sport by coaching disability cricket sessions with Ffit Conwy.
Debra said: “The sessions are very inclusive - they cater for people with a wide range of disabilities. So coaching the variety of skills necessary is quite a feat.”
With his college journey complete - for the time being, at least - Matthew is now working at No25 Bar and Bistro in Rhos-on-Sea. He also has time to pursue another of his passions - restoring a vintage stationary engine which he hopes to enter into agricultural shows in the coming year.
Matthew said: “I’m ready for a break from college now so I can concentrate on other things, but I might be back in the future!”