Project aims to teach those with learning difficulties how to cook healthy

A project aiming to teach Swansea people with learning difficulties how to cook healthy, low-cost meals is in need of funding donations.

Amanda Roberts, of Your Voice Advocacy, is looking to raise at least an extra £2,300 in the next month or so to ensure the project can go ahead.

The plea for more funding donations follows Swansea Council already pledging close to £2,500 to the project through its Crowdfund Swansea Fund.

Led by Amanda, weekly cookery workshops are planned for project participants, where they’d learn skills including cooking, food hygiene and healthy low budget meal options.

If the project reaches its funding target, it would enable the purchase of ingredients and cooking utensils, as well as covering the costs of hiring space at the Social Bean on St Mary’s Square for the workshops.

Amanda, from Mayhill, has worked in the care industry for nearly 30 years. She’s now an advocate for Your Voice Advocacy – a charity that’s been supporting people with learning difficulties since 1989.

Amanda said: “We’ve already held a few cookery workshops for local people with learning difficulties who attend the Social Bean once a month for a social event.

“The workshops have been really popular and very effective because they’ve boosted the confidence of those taking part while encouraging them to eat more healthily too.

“Many of these people have never been taught about healthy ingredients and how to cook nutritious, healthy meals in the past, so there’s definitely a need for this kind of activity.

“The project won’t be able to go ahead if we don’t reach our funding target in the next month or so though, so I’d encourage as many donations as possible – no matter how small – as the workshops would do a great deal of good for some of the most vulnerable people in society.

“Although the funding would only cover the project for a year, we have plans to make the project permanent in the more long-term future too, subject to funding.”

Cllr Alyson Anthony, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, said: “This is an extremely worthwhile project idea that would benefit hundreds of people with learning disabilities in Swansea.

“This is why the council has pledged to fund half the amount the project is looking to raise as part of our commitment to community projects throughout the city.

“We very much hope the project soon raises its funding total and would encourage businesses, other organisations and individuals who can afford to donate to do so as soon as possible.”

Head online to www.spacehive.com/cooking-together to make a donation.

Cllr Andrew Stevens, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said: “The council and Spacehive are keen to hear from residents and community groups with innovative ideas to improve their local areas. If you have a project idea and are interested in using crowdfunding to raise funds, please visit our dedicated Crowdfund Swansea web page.

“By running a crowdfunding campaign you’ll have the opportunity to reach out to your community and to organisations such as local major companies or council suppliers who may be interested in supporting projects either through funding or support like promotion, for example.”