Date: 26 November 2021
The Affordable Cookery Courses are evolving into a dynamic partnership between The Hope Hub and local churches. Designed to help anyone on the street, living in emergency accommodation or relying on food parcels to cook healthily, they are becoming the catalyst for so much more. Initial funding covers five Affordable Cookery courses, each with five practical cookery workshops and support for participants to gain a Level 2 in Food Safety and Hygiene. Cooking together provides a purposeful, social and practical focus for developing a support group, building self-confidence and finding new ways of being thrifty, healthy and well fed. Having established trusting, non-judgemental, fun-focused partnerships it is not such a daunting step for participants to move on to the Level 2 training which opens up more possibilities for voluntary or paid work or for further study and CV building. All of which The Hope Hub is perfectly set up to achieve.
Suzanne is such an example, because of difficulties in not always understanding what is being asked in questions, she never thought she would be able to gain higher qualifications. She is now not only the chief fish pie maker in her home, she proved to be the inspiration for others in her community to join the course, learn to take better care of themselves and take the first step towards new qualifications and job opportunities.
The Hope Hub is a charity based in Camberley that exists to relieve poverty and to help prevent and end homelessness in Surrey Heath and the surrounding areas. Well-trained caseworkers, mental health workers and employment coaches support and nurture Service Users from Crisis through to Empowerment. The Crisis may be triggered by any number of issues from being homeless, sofa surfing, at risk of becoming homeless/facing eviction, unemployed, in debt, lacking digital/IT/life skills, struggling with mental health, addictions or learning difficulties. Empowerment focuses on helping people become the best they can be, this may result in reuniting families, regaining self-confidence and self-esteem, securing voluntary work, employment or further study. Every person’s pathway from Crisis to Empowerment is different, but often equally challenging.
Prayerful, practical help often leads to surprising and positive outcomes at The Hope Hub. However, the partnership with St Martin’s Church demonstrates the additional benefits of enriching the support network, skills and care around each person in their immediate church community.
“I enjoyed seeing each member of the course grow in confidence and develop good friendships with fellow course members as we had great fun together learning to cook healthy, nutritious meals on a budget.” Rev Chris Richardson, Vicar of St Martin’s Church, Old Dean
Good news travels fast, and there is increasing interest in extending the free Affordable Cookery Courses to other vulnerable populations and communities. The initial funding from the Frimley Collaborative NHS CCG Innovation Fund will soon run out so the current focus is on securing new grants and engaging a workforce of volunteers and leaders to help us meet this need. Please do contact The Hope Hub should you wish to join a course, host a course, volunteer or have inspired ideas for funding.
You can contact The Hope Hub by calling 01276 581174 or emailing admin@thehopehub.org.uk. Alternatively, you can find out more by visiting thehopehub.org.uk