Pascal Vandeputte: “The key thing for me in life was to get back to work” 

When Volunteer Mentor Nick Carruthers first met Pascal Vandeputte, he was at a very low point. 

Pascal was recovering from a heart attack, which had left him out of work and lacking a sense of purpose. 

His work as a Head Pastry Chef had taken him across the world, from France to the UK and even China, designing menus and creating delicious pastries in renowned restaurants such as The Bluebird Chelsea and The Ritz Club. 

He said: “I just wanted to die when I had this heart attack.  

“It cut me off from working life and I felt like a burden. The key thing for me in life was to get back to work.” 

Nick was there as a sounding board for Pascal, reassuring him that although he may not be able to return to work full time, there were other options. Pascal was keen to publish his book, a semi-autobiography inspired by his life story, and Nick was on hand to guide him through this process.  

Nick and Pascal

Nick said: “When we first met, Pascal wasn’t in a good place. We met up on several occasions and I really just felt that I’d like to be his support. 

“I’m absolutely delighted to hear that he’s in a much better place. He’s got a job with an employer who he values and who understands and values him and I’ve seen such a great difference in Pascal. He’s got so much to look forward to.” 

Pascal’s former employer, Camelia Fragiacomo, valued his skills so much, she created a more flexible role for him at St Elli’s Bay Restaurant, Llanelli.  

She said: “We knew how passionate and what a good worker he was, we thought that we need to give him a chance. He brought to the business experience that is not very often easy to find. 

“What I do know is that if you give people a chance, they usually don’t let you down.” 

Being able to return to work on a schedule that suited his needs was a huge turning point for Pascal. 

He said: “It’s great to be back at work because I feel useful again.” 

You can watch Pascal’s story below.