Bhalo Ranna (Healthy Cooking)
Bhalo Ranna (Healthy Cooking)
Stifford Community Centre delivers a range of educational, youth information and communications technology (ICT) training, and elderly and health related provision in Tower Hamlets. The Bhalo Ranna project planned to impart basic knowledge on the nutritional aspects of South Asian cuisine amongst Bangladeshi women aged 45 and above.
The project aimed, through informal sessions, to combine theoretical ideas about the nutritional issues surrounding Bangladeshi cuisine with practical demonstrations on how slight changes to the cooking of different dishes can bring perceptible changes to the health and wellbeing.
It delivered:
- A four week core healthy cooking course through partnership with 10 community venues;
- practical demonstrations, with contributions from the Star Anise Social Enterprise, Primary Care Trust (PCT) Health Trainers, and Pride of Asia Restaurant;
- optional aerobic sessions for participants who want to go beyond simple food balance to physical body balance; and
- a joint research project with the PCT to test the validity and relevance of such programmes.
Sessions delivered for 316 Bangladeshi mothers aged 45 and above.
Around a quarter of the learners were offered support and basic training with the objective of entering the labour market.
The project developed a unique partnership model, bringing together the third, public and private sectors.
The event marking the success of the project was a huge accomplishment.
Phoning clients the week before, the day before and on the morning of sessions ensured a successful turnout.
Recruiting Outreach Workers that matched the target client group‐ ensured the initial engagement was effective.
It is also crucial to keep sessions local, as some learners have difficulties walking long distances. If sessions are held away from local organisations, then transport must be arranged.
Stifford community Centre
2-6 Cressy Place
London
E1 3JB
