A slow cooking workshop has come to the Pump Room at Sawyers Close in Windsor 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, intended to run every Thursday 10am-12pm until Thursday 2 March have been cooked-up by Abri’s Community Development Officers with the lessons in the Dedworth and Clewer area being just one example of five across Abri’s geography.
The project is intended to support up to 20 households and is delivered by Community Learning and Skills Service (CLaSS), a community training organisation which delivers courses for over-19s in Windsor, Maidenhead, and Slough. Working in partnership with Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) and Slough Borough Council, CLaSS courses and qualifications can help residents find work, get a better job, and improve the health and wellbeing of participants and their families.
Funding was secured and granted through the RBWM “Innovation Fund” with Frimley Health and Care, this covered the cost of the slow cookers, recipe books, weekly ingredients to make a meal for four and store cupboard ingredients for every household. The tutor was provided by and paid for by CLaSS.
Danielle Lane, Community Development Officer at Abri, explains that the first events have been a roaring success: “The course was fully booked, and participants were able to watch the preparation of a delicious meal for slow cooking. The tutor discussed safe freezing, and re-heating of food and how to adjust recipes to taste and the size of a household. Everyone that attended asked lots of questions, tips were shared and a bag with all the ingredients taken home to try out themselves.
“This is another brilliant example of how we’re helping our communities directly and I’ve really enjoyed setting it up. We’re committed to supporting our communities and are driving change to transform people’s lives, provide opportunities, and support people during the rising cost of living.”
There are no limitations on who can attend, households made up of all ages are equally welcome but priority on places is given to those most in need of the support at this time. Currently, sessions have proved so popular that they are fully booked but if you’re interested in getting involved in similar projects in the future, please contact Danielle Lane at Danielle.lane@abri.co.uk or call 07880107269.