Cookhouse: A Social Enterprise Changing Lives One Meal at a Time

Emily Priest reports on a local social enterprise that teaches practical cookery skills, while bringing people together to support each other.

Having a good meal every day is something most of us take for granted. But for some, a substantial and affordable daily meal is a luxury. Cookhouse wants to change all that.

By teaching basic cooking skills on a budget, Cookhouse aims to give everyone who works with them the ability to cook a sustaining meal, no matter their age, race, gender or class – and no matter what other personal challenges they may be facing, from youth offending to homelessness.

Cookhouse was created in 2015 to teach practical, essential cooking skills to vulnerable members of the community in Hampshire. Through courses and workshops, the members of Cookhouse hope to build self-confidence, skills and positive health and wellbeing. They work alongside other specialist charities such as the Society of St James, who work with homeless people and people in recovery.

You can see the team in action in the video below.

The ‘Recovery Canteen’ run by Cookhouse aims to support those recovering from drug and alcohol misuse. Here, participants learn basic food hygiene and knife skills, as well as receiving valuable support and social interaction. These essentials help build daily skills that are vital for healthy living and key to the recovery process.

There are also ways for the public more generally to get involved. Cookhouse offer a range of bespoke beginner, intermediate and advanced cooking classes to groups of people looking to improve their cookery skills, or just to do something a bit different with a social gathering. There are also opportunities coming up for people to volunteer, and Cookhouse are inviting people to register their interest now via their website.

If you want to find out more about how Cookhouse is helping the local community or how their services can help you, visit their website,and get following them on Instagram and Twitter.

Photography by Cookhouse.