SalfordOnline

The young people of Ordsall Youth Centre are being taught how to cook healthy meals in a safe way thanks to a partnership between Salford City Council and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS).

Once a week the 12 to 20 year-olds cook their own meals with help from Salford Youth workers and GMFRS’ Community Action Team (CAT) volunteers.

GMFRS Volunteer Coordinator Andy McGurgan said: “Working in partnership with Salford City Council we’re providing a safe environment for young people to learn how to cook.

“It is a great opportunity for us as a service to engage with the young people on how to cook safely, which is great, because last year there were more than 150 cooking fires in Salford resulting in more than 60 casualties - mainly because cooking was left unattended because people were distracted.

“Our volunteers are able to work with the young people as they learn to cook nutritious meals and are able to give them some fire safety awareness to help them learn to cook in a safe way.”

On Monday, July 30, four young people at the club learnt how to make a spicy chicken and tomato salsa wrap as part of the healthy cooking initiative.

They were assisted by Salford Youth Workers and GMFRS volunteer Will Kendall.

As part of the initiative the young people have also learnt how to make macaroni cheese, beef stew and they even made a three course meal consisting of bruschetta to start, a chicken curry main and chocolate brownies for dessert.

Volunteer Will Kendall, who joined the GMFRS CAT team after completing a Prince’s Trust Course with GMFRS in Salford, said: “It’s great to help out with Ordsall Youth Centre’s cooking initiative and build trust with the young people.

“The cooking night has been running for a few weeks now and it all started off a bit organically, when some of the young people decided they wanted to make some cakes.

“From there it became a weekly routine, we use a tiny two ring hob stove and if they can cook there – they can cook anywhere and it also means the young people get some knowledge about healthy eating.

“I used to go to youth clubs in Salford myself and something like this means that the young people are learning a life skill and for lot of them it’s a great chance to eat a nutritious meal with their friends and if we can help and give them some idea of fire safety at the same time then that’s great.”

Cllr John Merry, Assistant Mayor for services for Children and Young People said: “This is a fantastic project, making learning about safe and healthy cooking in a fun way. From what I hear the best part is the young people get to sit and eat together and enjoy the food they’ve made each week from cakes to spicy chicken wraps. I’m sure these skills will prove useful when the young people set up home for themselves.”

Source: GMF.