Free cooking classes help tenants eat well on a budget
Colchester Borough Homes (CBH) in partnership with C3 Impact has successfully run three Cooking on a Budget courses for tenants facing financial difficulties.
The courses, which were run over six weeks, taught participants how to set budgets, plan meals, cook healthy and affordable dishes, batch cook, and make the most of leftovers – with the opportunity to take home the food to feed up to four people.
The courses were funded by Active Essex, with a further £4000 provided by CBH Community Funding to support ongoing courses.
Participants were supplied with their own air fryers during the first two events, but future funding will instead be used to expand further courses by four additional spaces, to meet demand.
Ella Harvell from C3 Impact provided instruction throughout the courses. She also provided basic maths skills on best buys and calculating measures.
Feedback from participants has been excellent. One of the participants, who had recently lost his wife, was struggling to cook for family. He had never cooked before and didn’t know where to start. However, after completing the course, he is now able to cook a meal for himself and his children every day.
Another participant said: “The course was amazing, I learnt how to cook from scratch, food budgeting and facts about nutrition. This has really helped with current the current cost of living crisis. The partnership working is great, as I have got to meet lots of friendly people along the way.”
The Cooking on a Budget course is just one of the ways that CBH is helping residents to live more affordably.
“We know that many local residents are struggling to make ends meet,” said Philip Sullivan, Chief Executive of Colchester Borough Homes, “and the Cooking on a Budget course is a great way to help them save money on their food bills.
“This is another great example of how CBH is helping residents get by during some very challenging times.
“We’re really pleased that the course has been such a huge success. It’s helping residents save money and eat healthily, which is important both for their physical and financial well-being.”
CBH is planning to run further Cooking on a Budget courses in September and November. The course is free to attend and is open to all CBH tenants. For more information, please contact resident.engagement@cbhomes.org.uk
CBH Community Funding is also supporting cooking courses for children aged 5-11 being delivered by Cook Stars at Myland Parish Hall and Greenstead Community Centre over the summer holidays. Places are very limited. For further information contact emma.kerry@cookstars.co.uk .
Date issued: 14 July 2023
