Slow Cooking workshops have come to the community cafes of Millbrook and Mansbridge in Southampton to support residents affected by the cost-of-living crisis.
Participants receive support and education on using cupboard store ingredients in slow cookers as a healthy, low-cost energy option for cooking. The meals are always affordable, healthy and nutritious and participants will learn new cooking and storage techniques, building their confidence in the process.
The sessions have been cooked-up by Abri’s Community Development Officers with the lessons in the Southampton area being just two of five across Abri’s geography.
The project is intended to support 20 households in each of Millbrook and Mansbridge and will be delivered by Training for Work in Communities (TWICS), a community training organisation based in Southampton which promotes the benefit of and advances the education of people within the city who have disabilities or who are otherwise disadvantaged through poverty or other adverse social conditions.
The workshops have been funded by Abri’s Community Fund, with TWICS being awarded £2,600 from this pot and from Southampton City Council’s Multiply Fund, part of the UK government’s levelling up fund.
Cita Jagot, Communities & Involvement Manager at Abri, said: “This is another brilliant example of how we’re helping our communities directly. We are committed to supporting and investing in our communities and are proud of the difference our Community Fund makes; driving change to transform people’s lives, provide opportunities, and support people during the rising cost of living. It’s what our Community Strategy and investment is all about – empowering communities and improving health and wellbeing.”
Support has also been provided by City Plumbing, Richard De Doncker, Public Sector Manager (South) explains: "At the moment we're all feeling the strain of the increased cost of living so when we heard about Abri's Slow Cooker Project we were keen to get involved and provide support. This project not only highlights the cost saving of slow cooking, it provides a Slow Cooker and six cook-along lessons and recipe ingredient packs to those residents taking part. New skills, equipment and some fun in the local community - a recipe for success!"
The first session in Mansbridge was held at Kelly House Communal Lounge but is expected to move to The Round About Café (12 Westfield Corner Wide Lane, Southampton SO18 2LE) and take place in the evening so even more people can take part. To find out more, visit the café’s Facebook page where any updates will be posted.
In Millbrook the lessons take place at Colne Avenue Baptist Church, Colne Avenue, Southampton, SO16 9NY. Dates for the next session are yet to be confirmed but check local social media to find out first.
The events have so far been a success and proved very popular with participants and more are in the pipeline for the year ahead. There are no limitations on who can attend, households made up of all ages are equally welcome but priority on places will be given to those most in need of the support at this time.