Our community interest company, Happy to Help, along with Right Resolution CIC is working with Community Health-Works CIC to deliver group cookery sessions to residents in Northampton.
The Cooking Good workshops, which will be offered to NPH residents and care leavers in Northampton, have been made possible with support from a Community Funding Grant from West Northamptonshire Council (WNC).
Community Health-Works CIC will deliver the sessions, which will be focused on improving the health and wellbeing of participants. Those who take part will learn new skills including how to cook easy recipes using nourishing foods, cooking on a budget and reducing food waste. They will also be given meal bags to take home with them so they can put their new skills into practice, using the store cupboard items, other ingredients, cooking equipment and instructions provided to make their own tasty and healthy meals at home.
Lorraine Hirst, Director of Community Health-Works UK CIC said:
“Community Health-Works is delighted to be working with Happy to Help CIC and Right Resolution CIC. We will be helping residents in homes managed by NPH, and young people supported by Right Resolution CIC to learn some of the basics of shopping, cooking and eating well on a budget, whilst having fun in a supportive environment as part of our Cooking Good workshops. These are essential skills for people who may be living alone and need to make their money go further but at the same time to also support their physical and mental wellbeing by making healthy choices. We can’t wait to get started with the groups.”
The workshops will be delivered in our community hubs, and they form a vital part of our resident training programme. This programme aims to support residents with wellbeing and personal development, and those who attend the course can gain a food hygiene qualification. NPH’s housing support team will be on hand to continue working with residents after the workshops, helping them to keep using the new skills learnt in their day to day lives.
The sessions come at an important time, as the rising cost of living makes it more vital for all of us to find ways to cook healthy food on a budget and reduce the food we waste.
Cam Whyld, head of engagement at NPH said:
“We’re really grateful to West Northamptonshire Council for the Community Funding Grant which will allow us to offer these sessions to NPH residents. Happy to Help CIC already supports vulnerable people with food aid and this training will compliment this work to support our residents to live happy and healthy lives. Being able to cook wholesome, tasty food also supports better mental health as well as physical health. We’re delighted to be working with Community Health-Works CIC to deliver the sessions, and we’re looking forward to the courses starting soon.”
Amarjit Pawar, Director of Right Resolution CIC said:
“It’s really exciting to be part of this cooking programme. This programme will offer the care leavers we support the opportunity to learn vital skills in healthy eating, food preparation and cooking, especially at a time when they will be transitioning into adulthood and living on their own. Health-Works CIC has previously provided meal bags to care leavers containing all the ingredients and recipes that were needed to make tasty meals. We’re really pleased we have this opportunity to progress and work in partnership with Health-Works CIC to offer cooking sessions. The young people we work with are really excited to attend.”
If you're a NPH resident and would like to find out more can get in touch with the resident involvement team on 01604 837836 or by emailing getinvolved@nph.org.uk.