*Names have been changed

This summer, leading public construction company Osborne, in partnership with Hestia, Slough Borough Council and a network of Slough-based charities and organisations, are supporting families to learn to cook wholesome and healthy meals.

The interactive workshops, pertinently named The Good Grub Club, are running in full force once a week throughout the August school summer holidays, taking place at Slough’s Langley College. Chef lecturer Mark Goldstein is leading the pack with a number of his staff in tow, providing a hands-on experience for parents to trial new and diverse recipes and enjoy the results with their children.

Whilst the grown ups are whisking, boiling and stirring their way to a nutritious new dinner, children are accompanied by volunteers to take part in creative drama and sports activities, before sitting down for tea.

The initiative works to eradicate hunger over the summer holidays and relive financial pressures while children are at home for a lengthy few weeks.

This week, families supported by Hestia attended, learning to whip up quick, innovative meals from start to finish. Families are then provided with recipes and ingredients to prep and create the same meals in their own kitchens at home.

Elisha*, a Hestia service user, said:

“If I did not have this club to come to I would have just been sat at home with my son. I have been able to learn new ideas for healthy eating and got the chance to prepare and cook different things under the watchful eye of professional chefs, whilst the kids got the chance to play games and learn new skills.

Ben*, who came to The Good Grub Club with his mum, said:

“Today we played in door cricket and archery, and got to try a smoothie-making bike machine. It was fantastic!”

Osborne, Slough Borough Council’s building and maintenance partner, has worked closely with Hestia and the local authority since late 2018 to deliver the ‘Gift, With Love’ campaign to families supported by Hestia.

Most recently through the ‘Gift, With Love’ campaign, Osborne provided the children in our services with bundles of back to school goodies including pencil cases, pens and notebooks. Previously, they have supplied Christmas gifts and hosted a Mother’s Day event for mums, as well as providing practical provisions so they can regain confidence, build new skills and further develop their career prospects. Throughout the remainder of 2019, we'll be working with Osborne to deliver Halloween and Christmas activities too. 

‘Gift, With Love’ works to achieve a number of crucial objectives in enabling women supported by Hestia to rebuild their lives, including improving mental health and self-worth, encouraging familial reconnection and increasing confidence relating to employment.

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