Feeding Your Future

Increasing kitchen-confidence, cooking skills, food safety knowledge and employability in homeless prevention hostels.

‘Feed Your Future’ is an accessible, inclusive and informative 6-week course to improve the life skills and employability skills of people not in employment, training or education (NEET). The course focuses on developing cooking, budgeting and meal planning skills with a focus on affordability, sustainability and nutrition.

All sessions involved in the course are designed to recognise, understand and accommodate the financial, social and other needs of the participants to ensure the content is as inclusive, useful and appropriate.

In 2021-2022 we have run the course with more than 60 participants across temporary accommodation units and homeless prevention hostels around Manchester with funding from the European Social Fund in partnership with Lifeshare Charity ‘s ‘Manchester Digital Collective’ to help promote technological inclusion amongst our learners.

  • Cooking from scratch with fresh ingredients

Our classes cover a wide range of accessible transferable skills including making pizza, lasagne, veggie curry and veggie roast dinner all from scratch

‘ Both Gary* and Jim* thanked us and asked questions. Throughout the session, Gary learned how to thicken sauce using cornflour and Jim said that he wanted to cook for the rest of the hostel.’

Cooking Leader Feedback 23/11/21, -
  • Increasing knowledge of food safety

‘The residents were really interested in the fridge plans and learning more about bacteria. I explained what happens to bacteria in frozen food, refrigerated food and cooked food. We talked about where to store different foods in the fridge, where the coldest part of the fridge is and how long you can keep food in it.’

Cooking Leader feedback 16/11/21, -
  • Supporting learners to become more ‘work ready’ if they are seeking employment by preparing them to work safely and effectively in a kitchen or catering environment. We are always absolutely thrilled when residents go on to gain employment as a result of our support and training.

‘I’ve had a fantastic time at the Longford centre and cooking with Rob and the team for 5 whole sessions. Its helped me get an insight into the cooking sector and I’ve now taken on a job in a kitchen, so thanks for making it so fun – and if you need any help in the future, do give me a shout!’ coldest part of the fridge is and how long you can keep food in it.’

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  • The social impact of our sessions has also been hugely successful, with residents coming together after each session to socialise, reflect and eat with our team.

 ‘Positive session, lots of conversation, friendly and welcoming. Social aspect achieved – people came out of their rooms to eat and were not alone.’

Session Co-Ordinator feedback 19/10/21, -