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Community Initiative Case StudiesEvery couple of months we’ll be presenting new case studies of community food and physical activity initiatives in Wales. The purpose of the case studies is to help to share information about community food and physical activity initiatives, particularly their:
By publishing these case studies we hope that members can hear about the experiences of others working in the field and use this information in their practice. This month it’s: Heavens KitchenContact Details:Name: Yvonne Connolly Email: [email protected] Phone: : 02920 448415 Funding:No specific set funding – the project forms part of our core work Start date and finish date:Ongoing Introduction to the ProjectFairbridge De Cymru has been supporting young people in South Wales for over 22 years with some of the hardest to reach young people aged between 13 and 25. Each year they work with an average of 200 young people who are traditionally classed as not in employment, education or training (NEET). They provide personal development courses that help young people to develop the confidence and belief they need to face the challenges life brings, and to remove the barriers that stop them achieving their hopes, dreams and ambitions. Fairbridge recently won an AFAL Award and this case study will outline the Heaven’s Kitchen course. The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Cardiff Councillor Kate Lloyd, visited the Fairbridge De Cymru centre in Cardiff on 29 April 2009 to have lunch with a number of young people who are engaged with the Fairbridge Heavens Kitchen project. The purpose of the Lord Mayor visit was to sample the food produced by the Young People as part of the Heavens Kitchen course. This course makes up part of their independent living skills programme and builds up not only cooking skills but also numeracy skills via budgeting, team work and communication skills in the preparation of the food. It also brings in healthy eating awareness, an understanding of salt and fat content in prepared food, understanding where food comes from and reducing a dependency on “fast food”.
What do you feel the main achievements of the project have been to date?The course has been a fantastic medium for young people to develop their personal and social skills. The young people have developed an understanding of nutrition, budgeting and improved their basic skills. The young people have then developed the confidence to pass on this information to guests who attend the lunches. The guests usually come from a range of backgrounds and the lunch is the perfect opportunity to break down the barriers between social groups.
Has the project encountered any difficulties and what lessons have been learned?The course has overcome several difficulties, the kitchen area in Fairbridge in fairly small and the work space limited. Young people and staff have had to develop their organisation skills to effectively use the limited space. Young people attending Fairbridge have sometimes never been exposed to vegetables and fruit. This means that they have developed an anxiety about consuming the food and feel more comfortable consuming the fast food products that have been part of their every day life. Staff have worked hard to support and encourage young people to try new things, they have also informed young people about the facts around food to encourage positive decision making. Young people who attend Fairbridge are not always used to mixing with other social groups and staff have worked hard to draw out their natural talents and confidence. How do you see your project continuing in the future/ future sustainability?Fairbridge feel that the project has been hugely successful and would like to continue running it in the future. Fairbridge has just acquired an allotment and is looking at incorporating organic, low carbon, seasonal vegetable grown by young people into the lunches. Archive Case StudiesIf you would like to a community food or physical activity initiative that you are involved to be featured as a case study please contact Beth Preece, at [email protected] or telephone 029 20227744.
Last updated: 05/02/2010 |
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