Foyer Health Launch Events: Year 1 Foyers

Swindon Foyer

Sleaford Foyer

Salford Foyer

Paines Mill and Bedford Foyer

Simon Boyle began his role as Healthy Eating Ambassador by running 4 focus groups with Foyer residents. The aim of the focus group was for Simon to gain an understanding of young people’s attitudes to food and their daily diets. The residents were encouraged to complete a food diary the week before the focus group to bring to the session. After a morning discussion on food and diet, Simon took the group to the supermarket for them to purchase the ingredients they would need, to make him their favourite meal. Some findings from the focus group were:

• Most of the residents' favourite meals were family oriented e.g. roast and spag bol
• 3 our of 4 Focus groups said that they were eating worse since coming to the Foyer
• Money was a massive issue, with a couple of residents spending as little as £3 a week on food
• Residents also cited poor cooking facilities, lack of respect for the kitchen by fellow residents and lack of cooking equipment, meant they were surviving mainly on takeaways - the majority of resident in the focus group survived on 3 takeaways per week
• Lack of time, skills/knowledge and motivation to cook
• Generally, residents had a good basic knowledge of food and many had started to look at labels and understood daily guidelines
• Many residents would eat more fresh fruit if they had more money

Simon took the learning from the focus groups to create a cook school, which he delivered to 18 Foyers across the country.

Simon said "We believe that when people cook together they engage in a truly unique way. People open up and get underneath the skin of their relationships revealing their souls and stories to each other. The kitchen atmosphere unmasks what is going on in their lives and the pressures they face."

He added: "The residents will experience a 'hands on' role at every stage of the cook school, cooking the menu from scratch, under the supervision of ours chefs. Demonstrations and tips will be provided throughout the session."

The cook schools kicked off with an informal discussion with the group about what they had eaten for breakfast, their general diet and attitude to food. The mornign was spent cooking an array of dishes which were then served as a group lunch. Dishes cooked included:

Carrot, coconut and almond soup and homemade bread rolls
Tomato bruschetta
Pan fried trout with a pomegranate and honey dressing
Spaghetti Bolognese
Mushroom risotto
Lemot posset

"Just to let you know that today we had Simon here. Eight of our residents worked hard directed by Simon and his helper Kevin to prepare and cook some wonderful dishes. Myself and other staff were invited to join them to savour some of their specialities! Everything tasted divine, and the residents were so motivated! It has been a truly fantastic experience for both staff and residents." Sharon Spears, Trinity Foyer Manager.

Poole Quay Foyer

The Health Launch at Poole Quay Foyer gave young people the chance to try out lots of fun free activities and sessions, to find out about the health programme and to sign up to it.

This is what the young people found out about ...

Healthy cooking courses
Life coaching sessions
Healthy Eating taster sessions
Mental Wellbeing taster sessions
Physical Activity taster sessions

And other activities included:

Smoothie making
Things to taste
Health MOT’s
Recipes and meal ideas
A competition with great prizes
And lots more to kick start everyone’s healthy life style!

Hereford Foyer

Croydon Foyer

Cangle Foyer