20th August 2024
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The highlight of Cornerstone Benwell’s recent efforts is the Kindful Project, designed to support community members struggling with mental health issues. This project operates through various initiatives, with the Kindful Kitchen being a central component. With funding from LGA Foundation, Cornerstone established an educational kitchen. This kitchen has enough space for eight individuals to cook simultaneously, each with their own set of utensils and workspace. The Kindful Kitchen runs several key programs:
Mindful Cookery Sessions
The mindful cookery sessions are targeted at individuals referred to Cornerstone due to mental health challenges. These sessions emphasise mindfulness through cooking, encouraging participants to engage with their ingredients fully feeling, smelling, and tasting them. This sensory engagement helps ground individuals in the present moment, fostering a sense of calm and focus. After the cooking session, participants share a meal and engage in additional mindful activities, such as breathing exercises and chair yoga, promoting overall wellbeing.
Budget Cookery Courses: Tin Can Allies
Tin Can Allies is a practical cookery course aimed at those who use the community pantry or food bank. This weekly session teaches participants how to prepare meals using only non-perishable items like tins and herbs, helping them make the most of limited resources. Each session finishes with participants taking home the meal they’ve prepared, ensuring they have a nutritious option for their next meal.
Sessions for Menopausal Women: “Penne For Your Thoughts”
Recognising a gap in support for menopausal women in the area, Cornerstone introduced the Penne for your thoughts sessions. These sessions focus on pasta dishes and provide a platform for women to share their experiences, challenges, and support each other through the menopause journey. Initially a four-week program, its popularity and the friendships formed have led to plans to extend it to eight weeks.
Cornerstone Benwell has made it easy for individuals to access their programs. They maintain relationships with local doctor surgeries and social prescribers who can make direct referrals. Additionally, people can self-refer or be referred by other local charities. The high demand for these programs reflects their unique value, as they offer alternatives to traditional counselling, which may not be suitable for everyone.
Cornerstone Benwell, through its Prep Kitchen and associated projects, is making an amazing difference in the community. By addressing food insecurity, providing essential services, and offering innovative mental health support, it is fostering a more resilient and connected community. The Kindful Project, with its mindful cookery sessions, budget cookery courses, and dedicated support for menopausal women, highlights the charity’s commitment to holistic well-being and community empowerment.
For more information on Cornerstone Benwell and the Kindful Project: Click Here