Cooking Up Confidence at Westbank

Cooking Up Confidence at Westbank!

We were thrilled to recently welcome a wonderful group of Young Carers to the Community Cookery School at Westbank for a fun, hands-on workshop all about creating a healthy, nutritious meal, plus a delicious sweet treat: entirely from scratch!

These sessions form part of a wider series of cookery workshops funded by the Lidl Community Fund, giving Young Carers the chance to learn valuable life skills, explore new foods, and most importantly, enjoy time together in a relaxed and supportive space.

For many Young Carers, daily life can come with unique responsibilities and challenges. Our cookery workshops are designed to provide a break and a chance to socialise, try something new, and gain confidence in the kitchen. From chopping and stirring to tasting and sharing, every step is an opportunity to build skills and have fun.

The feedback from participants and their families has been truly heartwarming.

Lexie and her mum, Sian, shared:

“We cook a lot together at home. It was nice that it was during the day as Lexie is home educated, and great to do an activity together that we both enjoy — and have something tasty to eat at the end of it!”

Christina and her daughter also told us:

“My daughter has autism and is currently waiting for a post-16 specialist place. We don’t get to do these kinds of social things much. It’s nice to get out of the house and for her to have the freedom to go at her own pace. There’s not much provision for older children, so this is great.”

Stories like these remind us just how powerful community experiences can be. Through something as simple and wonderful as cooking together, we’re helping to nurture confidence, independence, and connection.

A huge thank you to Lidl for supporting these fantastic sessions through the Lidl Community Fund, and for helping us make a real difference in the lives of Young Carers and their families.