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Parents were invited to work alongside a chef to gain hands-on skills in the kitchen and understand the nutritional benefits of including fresh fruit and vegetables in family meals.

The initiative is part of the Inspiring Families project which co-ordinates services for children, young people and their families within their own communities.  It attracted more than fifteen parents from the Hester’s Way, Oakley and St Paul’s areas. 

In partnership with The Stable Company - a local charity which grows their own fruit and vegetables with the help of volunteers –  the families have also been invited to order low cost boxes containing a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables on a regular basis as a way of ensuring they eat their ‘5 a day’.

In celebration of the parents’ work, the families are being invited to a special event later this month at the University of Gloucestershire. They will be able to share what they have learned and ask any questions they have.  More details will also be given about the Inspiring Families project including future opportunities to get involved.

Lucy Chick, the council’s healthy lifestyles officer said:  ‘’The parents had a great time, learning more about planning meals, shopping healthily and cooking.  These are invaluable skills and can benefit a whole family’s wellbeing.  Hopefully the parents will be able to pass their skills down to their children. It will be nice to bring everyone back together so that they can all share their experiences.’’


Photo opportunity:  Families will be coming along to a celebration event on 31 August, 1-3pm, at the University of Gloucestershire’s Frances Close Hall.  Press are welcome to attend.

Notes

Parents were invited via six schools - Hester's Way Primary, Gloucester Road Primary, Gardeners Lane Primary, Oakwood Primary School, Pittville School and Dunnally Primary School. The parents learnt how to cook a basic tomato sauce from scratch which can be frozen to use at a later date and can be used to make many recipies including lasagne, pasta dishes, tikka masala sauce and sweet and sour sauce.

Inspiring Families project:  Run by the Children and Young People’s Partnership, this project has its roots in the collective priority to tackle child poverty which is a both a national and local priority. The previous government had a long-term goal to eradicate child poverty by 2020 and new coalition government have agreed to retain this commitment.  

For media enquiries, contact: Katie Sandey, communications team leader, telephone 01242 775050, email katie.sandey@cheltenham.gov.uk