The Story

A community kitchen programme at Dundee and Angus College is reconnecting low-income parents with education and employability. The innovative Community Kitchen Programme funded by the Angus Local Employability Project has aided D&A’s Community and Learner Engagement Team to engage with more than 24 families from around the Angus area back into learning through creative partnerships with D&A Hospitality and Land-based teams.

Working with parents from low-income backgrounds the Community Engagement Team has spearheaded the project that alleviates food poverty, fosters healthy relationships with food and provides pathways to mindset change through education.

At the heart of the project lies a holistic approach that addresses not only the immediate needs of the individuals but fosters long-term resilience through a structured multifaceted programme of support. Through hands-on cooking sessions, the families are learning to prepare and cook nutritious, simple, affordable meals for themselves and their families while upskilling in areas such as Barista, REHIS and First Aid in the workplace.

Individuals are enriching their skill sets and opening doors to new opportunities whilst combating food insecurity and sustainability. To increase their understanding of sustainable living the individuals join the Horticultural team to learn how to grow fruits and vegetables before moving from farm to fork where their learning goes beyond the kitchen and garden. Through a collaboration with the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET), the families gain insights into the food journey from farms to supermarkets which supports informed decisions as they explore their food choices and provides a deeper appreciation for locally sourced produce.

As part of the 12-week programme, a whole day is dedicated to employability activities which are specifically designed to empower participants to enhance their confidence and develop vital skills for personal and professional development. The targeted support furthers skill development and provides pathways for individuals into employment or further education. Complementing the practical skills and employability activities is a complete package of support in collaboration with the NHS Nutrition Team and Citizens Advice Money Management Team. Incorporating the holistic approach to learning the individuals and families have been engaged in a broader learning experience to equip them with the tools for holistic wellbeing.

Katie Baxter, Learner and Community Engagement Manager, said: "We are not just alleviating food poverty, we are sparking food joy and a newfound sense of hope and possibility. “Together, we can create lasting change."

The project's impact extends beyond traditional learning, it addresses the generational mistrust in the education system and aims to break the cycle of worklessness through positive experiences and conversations. Parents who were once disillusioned with the school system are now engaging in dialogue with their children about their positive experiences at D&A in a journey towards a better and brighter future. The initial 12-week programme has drawn to a close, however, Katie remains positive as she works hard to write funding bids to keep this work alive. Seeing the positive impact on each individual, their family and the local community is the driving force behind this positive programme for change.