CARE leavers in Tameside can learn cooking skills and enjoy a hot meal together at a new weekly club.
The Care Leavers Teatime Club provides an opportunity for young people to learn such vital life skills in a supportive environment.
The free club meets every Monday evening for two hours to learn kitchen basics and how to make delicious recipes, as well as receive helpful information about health and nutrition.
They can also share a home-cooked meal, whilst building lasting connections and friendships. There might even be a care leavers cookery book to follow.
The club, established by Tameside Council, is also a chance to connect with the authority’s Leaving Care and Staying Close teams to seek support, ask questions and discover resources available to them.
Kelsey, who recently joined the club, is encouraging more care leavers to follow suit.
“The club is a good way to interact with people and cook with them. It’s free and you can also take the food home if you don’t want to eat it there, as some people might already be full or not like eating with others. It’s also an amazing way to make friends and if you live alone, it makes it less lonely at meal times.”
A Tameside Council spokesperson said: “The Care Leavers Teatime Club is a brilliant idea, giving young people the chance to come together, learn some valuable cooking skills and share a home-cooked meal with like-minded company.
“We’re delighted that the initiative is giving our care leavers a warm, supportive place where they can feel at ease.”
Any care leavers who want to join the teatime club or would like more info can contact Melissa Housley on 0161 342 2861.