Improving clients’ confidence to cook
New South Wales’ Adssi HomeLiving Australia and Central Coast Meals on Wheels have partnered to deliver a program for clients, who live independently, to help improve their kitchen skills, confidence and motivation to cook.
Participants of the Adssi HomeLiving Australia and Central Coast Meals on Wheels 'Cooking for You and Me' program are improving their confidence and motivation in the kitchen.
The ‘Cooking for You and Me’ program comprises two four week programs. The first program was completed last month, with eight graduating clients. The second program commences mid this month.
While the emphasis is on cooking and nutrition and is run by a home economist, it has the added benefit of increased socialisation for participants.
Adssi HomeLiving Australia has been supporting frail aged and people living with disability on the Central Coast of NSW to stay living independently for more than 25 years.
An important aspect in delivering the program includes the door to door pickup of the clients using the Adssi HomeLiving Australia bus. Apart from the obvious benefit of supplying transport, which is often a barrier in the community, the trip provided an opportunity for people to get to know each other and form friendships out of the learning environment.
Volunteers from Adssi HomeLiving Australia fulfilled the role of bus driver and support worker and coordinated the pickups.
The program features nutritional information, shopping and ingredient tips, the practical cooking lesson where everyone had a task and responsibility, as well as a shared meal at the end of the class.
For some, sharing a meal is rare and research suggests it increases our appetite.
Each participant takes home an additional serving of the meal they’ve prepared, ensuring they’ve had at least two healthy meals.
A pre and post survey was conducted for the first program, with participants reporting an increase in their skills, confidence and motivation to cook more regularly.
Organisers Mary Wills, Flexible Food coordinator at Meals on Wheels and Kristin Whitney, marketing manager of Adssi HomeLiving Australia, hope to secure additional funding to be able to offer the program year round.
