Published on:
03
April 2012
A group of young parents have been learning how to cook tasty, healthy meals for themselves and their family.
The members of the Young Parents Project have now completed the five week course and will be celebrating their achievements with an event at Sauchie Hall.
You are invited to send a reporter / photographer to Sauchie Hall at 12.30pm on Thursday 5th April when the members of the group will be presented with certificates and an incentive package of store cupboard essentials and equipment in recognition of their achievements.
The Clackmannanshire Young Parents Project is designed to improve the life chances of young parents and their children by helping to ensure that their immediate needs are addressed and that appropriate services are available to them to maintain stability at a very vulnerable time in their lives. The project also helps them prepare for employment, education or training when the time is right for them.
This latest part of the project has seen a group of young parents attend five cooking sessions where they have gained the skills and confidence to prepare and cook fresh meals from scratch for themselves and their families. They've also learned about the importance of food hygiene, budgeting and the significance of a balanced diet.
Partnership working has been paramount to the success of the project. The sessions have been led by NHS Forth Valley's Community Food Development Worker Debbie Ross with Sauchie Active 8 covering the costs for the use of Sauchie Hall. The Council has provided child care and transport so the parents could attend the course. And Lifeskills Centres have come on board to support the parents to work towards gaining their food hygiene certificates which could increase their chance of gaining future employment.
Local supermarket Tesco are backing the programme and a representative from the company will present each participant with the incentive package worth £20 of store cupboard essentials and kitchen utensils on the day.
Course participant Alison Page said: "It has been really enjoyable for me, and at the same time I've learned new things about food like sugars, salt in foods, and labelling. The course has also shown me where to save money and has boosted my confidence and self esteem."
A Tesco spokesperson added: "We were delighted to be involved in such a worthwhile community project that is supporting young parents in Clackmannanshire."