A BROMSGROVE charity for the homeless has been supporting its clients with learning the skills to cook through inventive and insightful workshops.
The Basement Project says many of their clients struggle with basic cooking skills which is why they have enlisted the support of volunteer Elaine to offer the workshops.
As a whole, the charity provides support in securing accommodation, accessing food, and arranging furniture and white goods for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness but also recognises the need for people to be able to live independently.
Elaine, who has a background in teaching catering in further education, has ‘came to the rescue’ with her sessions teaching clients a range of skills, using items readily available from the charity’s foodbank.
The charity recognises that some of their clients will not have fond memories of cooking with parents or grandparents or have even been shown how to cook in early life.
The Basement Project want to alleviate this as much as possible by equipping clients with the skills to be practical and have fun in the kitchen.
Elaine said: “The workshops benefit both individuals and families, as I have worked with several mums with young children. It’s great to help them learn about healthy eating while developing a skill for life.”
The charity has recently been able to donate a slow cooker to participants of the cooking workshops, thanks to recent funding.
A spokesperson for the charity said: “We are so grateful to Elaine and all of our other volunteers for giving up their time to support our work with local young people.
“We are also incredibly grateful for all the donations to our food bank, which mean that young people facing hardship don’t have to go hungry.”
To support the workshops and the charity’s clients, you can donate to The Basement Project’s foodbank at Hanover House, Bromsgrove. It’s open Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm.
