The cooking workshops were funded through the Interreg’s European Regional Development Fund and delivered in a partnership between East Suffolk Council, Suffolk County Council and Food Savvy.

Hosted by Chef Emma Crowhurst, the workshops aimed to help older people get more ‘food savvy’, so they can cook easy, nutritious, and affordable meals at home, whilst in a relaxed social setting. The workshops also provided opportunities to meet new people and make new connections.

Participants had the opportunity to meet link-workers from Connected Communities, a project designed to help older people who are feeling socially isolated,  access to health and wellbeing facilities.  The project also links them to existing social and community groups.

Cllr Letitia Smith, East Suffolk Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Leisure and Tourism, said:

“We know that many older people have been struggling during the pandemic, feeling more isolated and lonelier, and whilst these cooking workshops are ultimately about learning new skills, they are also about meeting new people. So not only will participants learn new, easy recipes they can use to cook healthy and affordable meals at home, they will also have a great opportunity to make new connections, maybe even friends!”.

Pictured: Cllr Letitia Smith and Cllr James Mallinder