The Friendly Food Club, based in Dorset, is tackling the growing trend of relying on fast food and ready meals by empowering local communities to cook healthy meals.

The charity, which has been offering cooking workshops across Dorset for over a decade, is now training groups to run their own courses, thanks to funding from Dorset Council and Waitrose.

Liz Guilmant-Cush, CEO of The Friendly Food Club, explained the importance of this initiative: “Every day, we meet people who lack the confidence or skills to cook. From teenagers unable to use tin openers to older people who depend on microwave meals.

“The Get Dorset Cooking training allows us to equip community groups to run their own workshops, helping as many people as possible across Dorset.”

Libby Lloyd, Senior Youth Leader at Treads Youth Advice & Information Centre, shared her experience: “We’ve noticed that many young people aren’t maintaining a healthy diet.

“Since completing the training, we’ve incorporated cooking courses into our sessions, helping local youth cook nutritious meals for themselves and their families.”

The training, fully funded and available to various groups such as foodbanks, youth organisations, and patient groups, ensures participants learn all the necessary skills to run safe, effective cooking sessions.

Ongoing support and resources are also provided to help these groups build confidence in leading their own workshops.

Sue Brunt, Chair of the NHS Patient Participation Group in Weymouth, discussed the impact the training has had on her community: “Before attending the course, many NHS patients lacked the knowledge and confidence to prepare healthy meals, affecting their ability to manage chronic health conditions. This training has inspired us to run cookery courses that break down these barriers.”

The next training sessions will be held in Weymouth on 18th September, and Wimborne on 10th October, with further dates planned throughout the autumn. More information can be found at www.thefriendlyfoodclub.org/get-dorset-cooking.