A tasty initiative is using food as a way of reaching out to people and supporting them – just as Jesus loved to do.
Holy Saviour at Sugley in Newcastle has enlisted the services of Nourish Food School – a community interest company, which provides mobile cookery classes. It follows the success of the project for two years previously at Church of the Holy Spirit, Denton.
Eight-week courses are available for anyone in the community who is struggling to provide wholesome, nutritious meals for themselves and their families.
The scheme is being co-ordinated by Children and Families Missioner Jac Atkinson, who has witnessed some life-enhancing results.
“In today’s fast-paced world, there are a multitude of reasons why people might be struggling with food,” said Jac. “Time may be a factor and so might be money. It could also be a lack of awareness of how to make good nutritious food when there are so many tempting alternatives in the supermarket.
“Whatever anyone’s reasons are, they are welcome at these classes which are free. How much did Jesus love sharing food and meeting people?”
The classes teach the very basics of cooking – from scrambling an egg to making more advanced dishes. They also provide knowledge about food, where it comes from and how to get the best out of it.
Those attending watch fascinating live demonstrations of recipes – all packed with healthy ingredients – before having a go themselves using portable hubs. All equipment is provided.
“You can learn a recipe for each day of the week,” said Jac, “and the skills you acquire enable you to learn more. It’s also about spiritual food. These classes are very social and people can open up to each other about other life matters, if they wish to do so.”
Kirsty Knox is a Royal Navy veteran who served for 34 years. Despite her highly disciplined career, she attends the classes because cooking was not something she did in the military.
“All our cooking was done for us,” said Kirsty. “I came to the class with no confidence that I could cook for people. Now I’ve learned such a lot and having moved here, I’m chatting to the ladies and learning about the area too.”
Nourish Food School helps a wide variety of people with cooking, including asylum seekers, those who have suffered brain injuries, teenagers from challenging backgrounds, and people with learning difficulties.
David Hardman, food skills trainer for Nourish Food School, said: “We have been very happy to work with these local churches in support of people in their communities.”
Food for the scheme at Holy Saviour is provided by FairShare North East, the surplus food charity, which works to eradicate waste and reduce food poverty.
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