The Lighthouse Project has been offering cooking classes to anyone who is receiving mentoring, or who has received mentoring in the past, and it’s been going really well. The aim of these classes is to help people cook healthier meals, learn about nutritional values, build a meal plan, and maintain a budget.
Should people need it, the recipes taught in the classes can be tailored to dietary requirements, allergies, or even just preferences. Almost all of the recipes are suitable for diabetic people, and diabetic worksheets are provided to everyone in the class. At the end of every class people receive a recipe card for the meal they’ve just learnt to cook - personalised to their dietary needs and preferences and showing a breakdown of the recipe costs - so that they can continue to cook at home.
“I’ve joined because I have diabetes, and I need to eat healthier, but I don’t know how to do it. I struggle with numbers, I have dyscalculia, but they help me with all of that. Now that I’ve joined I’ve lost 3 lbs, so it is working and my doctor’s really happy.”
A lot of guests that have joined the cooking class struggle with learning disabilities, which have made learning to cook in the past very difficult for them. To help with this The Lighthouse Project have organised the classes to be kept to a small group of people at a time so that enough attention can be given to each guest and a close-knit learning space is created.
“I wanted to join because I need to learn how to cook for myself instead of relying on ready made meals. I needed help to design a healthier menu for myself, I have learning difficulties which makes it difficult to do a lot of things at the same time, but how we are being taught here is a big help”
Another way The Lighthouse Project aids members of the class is by putting together a Flavour Kit at the end of the seven weeks as a Congratulations Gift. These kits will include herbs, spices, and sauces to get guests started in stocking their own kitchen with staple ingredients. We have Asda to thank for the donation of the ingredients that make up the Flavour Kits!
“Very helpful, fun, and good socialising! Because it’s a small group it’s not too busy, loud, and crowded, which is really good.”
Next week there will be a special class on, in which The Lighthouse Project hosts Leicester Adult Education to teach a class about slow cookers, and practical ways to manage the increased cost of living. Throughout this class members will learn to identify cheaper ways of cooking, find healthy low cost recipes, and how to use a slow cooker safely. After the class everyone will be given a free slow cooker as part of the lesson offered by LAE!
These cooking classes, like the rest of the work that The Lighthouse Project does, offers a space for members to talk, socialise, and fight isolation, something those in vulnerable living situations often struggle with. As well as attending these classes every Tuesday, members can also meet up every Thursday for Lighthouse Group, for a chance to talk through anything, and be included in a well being activity such as creative writing, drawing, or jewellery crafting.
“The group work helped to take me out of my isolation, and helped me be out more. I’m learning while having fun and have made some lovely friends. And I’m looking forward to making the recipes again once I’m home.”
There is already a waiting list of guests wanting to join the cooking classes, and it’s growing! With the seven week course covering everything from lunch, dinner, desserts, healthy meals, and how to cook with leftovers, there’s something new to learn for everyone. And with the money currently being raised through our most recent Crowdfunder, we’ll be able to continue to fund these classes, too.
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