Man with a Pan is a successful community based cookery and healthy eating project for men over 55, first piloted in 2015 in partnership with AgeUK Surrey and Awards for All. The aim of the project was to provide hands on cookery and nutrition classes to older men, with the following targeting criteria: widowed, looking after an ill partner/carer responsibilities, living on own/isolated, and/or with health issues.
The project was an overwhelming success with over 800 men aged between 55 and 87 year attending over 4 years. Positive outcomes included more confidence and independence in cooking meals from scratch, increased consumption (and enjoyment) of vegetables and fruit, new friendships, decreased isolation/loneliness, and increased take up of other local mens' projects such as mens' sheds and walking football.
We are currently fundraising to take
Man with a Pan online, and aim to deliver the course as a 10 week home study course to a minimum of 250 men in small online groups across the UK, whilst COVID 19 affects our community-based provision .
Find out more at https://www.organiccookeryschool.org/wider-communityFeedback from previous 'Man with a Pan' attendees:
I have learnt lots of new practical cookery skills, making pizza dough, baking and making scones, making soup and meatballs. I learnt about food safety, food labelling and about the correct amount of sugar and salt to use/eat. The course has been informative and well organised. All the staff and participants were very friendly and helpful.
— Peter
It has been great to watch the practical demonstrations and then having the chance to do it ourselves. I have learnt so many new cooking skills and made new social connections.
— Ray
I found it very interesting learning about the contents of our food and how much salt and sugar are in them and how this is not good to have too much sugar and salt. The tips for a low salt diet were useful. I also learnt that our diet should contain 5 portions of fruit or vegetables.
— Tony
