Recovery Kitchen is a cookery course pilot – and here, Community Chef founder and director, Robin Van Creveled, writes about its origins:
Healthy eating, cookery and wellbeing courses for people in recovery from mental health challenges.
The 2014 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, highlighted that every week, 1 in 6 adults experience a common mental health problem, such as anxiety or depression and 1 in 5 adults have considered taking their own life at some point. (1) Mental health is one of the biggest and least talked about challenges faced by a huge percentage of the British population. I’ve experienced periods of depression and anxiety myself. I’ve also worked in the “sector” for years, so I’m acutely aware of how debilitating and distressing mental health issues can be. Good food, being physically active, talking to people I trust, being mindful and regularly doing things I love to do, help me to stay well and happy.
Nourishing food has a profound effect on our health, both mental and physical. Cooking can be a fun and creative activity which helps us to develop skills and self confidence while doing something deeply practical with edible results. Cooking and eating together is a simple way of connecting with other people. It helps individuals, families and communities to be healthier, more connected and in tune with the natural rhythms of life.
We piloted our hugely successful Recovery Kitchen course in 2015 and continue to run them from the Lewes Community Kitchen and as an outreach service. Recovery Kitchen is a fantastic opportunity for people experiencing mental health challenges to come together to learn, cook and share food in a social, supportive, friendly atmosphere. In addition to cooking and eating together, the participants also learn everyday mindfulness techniques which can help reduce stress and anxiety. The 5 week program culminates in the group preparing and hosting a celebratory community meal for family and friends.
Recovery Kitchen is for anyone experiencing mental health challenges – whether or not they have a formal diagnosis or are currently supported by Southdown. If you are interested in joining one of the courses, or commissioning a course, then do get in touch.
