Cooking up a storm – but not breaking the bank
Bridgewater Primary School has partnered with the charity Healthworks to create a new recipe book called ‘Air Fry and Eat Well’ that has been inspired by a project to drive down the energy costs for Scotswood residents.
‘Air Fry and Eat Well’
Earlier this year, and for the past five years, the charity received circa £10,000 funding from New Tyne West Development Company (NTWDC) – the partnership building homes at The Rise.
Lisa Conroy from the Health Promotion Team at Healthworks explains:
“The cost-of-living crisis has hit our community hard and we are always looking for ways in which we can support local people to make healthy choices that also help to save money. The funding from NTWDC and working alongside Bridgewater Primary School, meant we were able to run a cooking course for 36 people and their families to date. At the end of the programme, all received their own air fryer to take home and support with reducing bills during the cost-of-living crisis. Now, everyone can access the most popular, delicious and nutritious recipes that we have come up with – all of which can be made on a tight budget.”
The recipes can be accessed from the Healthworks website here: https://www.healthworksnewcastle.org.uk/about-us/our-resource-library/
The idea for the initiative originated at Bridgewater Primary School, which was exploring ways to support parents who had approached the school asking about how they could cut their energy bills.
After suggesting the possibility of providing Air Fryers, the school partnered with NTWDC and Healthworks to deliver the four-week courses. Attendees commented that they did not realise you could cook so much with an air fryer and how having the children involved in the sessions, had meant that they have tried so many new things to eat as a family.
Healthworks – which works across the North East to support people of all ages to live longer, healthier and happier lives – and the school, are now looking to widen the popular initiative -engaging with more people and developing new slow cooker and Food and Fuel cookery courses.
A worthwhile initiative
Lee McGray, Director of NTWDC, said:
“We are delighted to be supporting Healthworks and Bridgewater Primary School with this excellent project. We hope it has been a real help to local people facing difficult choices due increasing costs. Both undertake so much great work here in the West End of Newcastle and we wish them every success using the funds to expand the affordable meals programme in support of even more people. We look forward to continuing to support both Healthworks and Bridgewater Primary School in future projects that benefit the wider community.”
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East said:
“Bridgewater Primary School and Healthworks have created a product which could be incredibly valuable for so many in the North East particularly at a time when so many are struggling and feeling the effect of the ongoing cost of living crisis.”
Bridgewater Primary School is a Schools North East Partner Trust. If you’d like to find out more about our Partner School Programme click here.
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