Adults with a brain injury or a neurological condition who attend Headway Suffolk’s service in Haverhill will be able to enjoy making more varied meals thanks to grant funding.
The Haverhill South People’s Forum, which is a group of resident volunteers focused on developing community projects and activities in the area, has generously donated £1,000 to Headway Suffolk to fund new adaptive cookery equipment for its group that meets every Wednesday at the Chalkstone Community Centre.
The Forum, with support from Community Action Suffolk, was set up as part of the Local Conversation in Haverhill South – a People’s Health Trust initiative which involves supporting residents to develop a shared vision for their community and take local action on issues that matter to them. The Local Conversation is funded by the People’s Health Trust using money raised by HealthIntend through The Health Lottery.
The monies will enable the charity to purchase specialist items designed to assist those with limited use of their hands or arms as a result of their injury or condition, such as knives, choppers, slicers, bowls, colanders, graters, mixers and measuring jugs that have special grip handles and suction pads.
This will help clients take part in cookery sessions, a vital life skill, and make meals such as spaghetti bolognaise, quiches, pizza and sausage rolls that can be either eaten at the centre or taken home for a meal that helps reduce the burden on the family carer.
Other items, such as specialist kettles for those with the use of only one hand, convection hobs and automatic jar openers, will also be bought from the grant.
Items will be, where possible, in red as it is a colour deemed ‘dementia-friendly’.
Zellah Andrew, Headway Suffolk’s Hub manager for Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill, said: “We express a big thank you to the Haverhill South People’s Forum and Community Action Suffolk for the grant to support clients’ needs at our Haverhill hub.
“We asked the clients what they wanted to spend the grant one and they decided that cookery would be a beneficial activity to support their cognitive development and rehabilitation.”
Beryl Keep, Haverhill South People’s Forum Member, said: “I was pleased to visit Headway and chat to service users and the Hub manager, Zellah Andrew, about the valuable work that is being done. The grant from Haverhill South People’s Forum will enhance the work of Headway and may enable other potential beneficiaries to be reached and helped in their recovery.”
Dave Smith, Chairman of Haverhill South People’s Forum, said: “We are extremely pleased to support this project. It’s a valuable resource for Haverhill that makes a huge difference to the lives of residents with neurological conditions.”
If you would like to make a referral to Headway’s Haverhill group, contact Zellah on 01284 702535 or email: [email protected].