- Time together uninterrupted by other people or phones
- Improving confidence through learning new skills
- Encouraging adults and children to try new foods and activities increases their willingness to try other things together that they wouldn’t usually
- Bringing in hard-to-reach people. For example, schools have told us that some parents who have attended our courses with their children have not previously engaged in other ways
- Increasing family cohesion
- Better behaviour and study results from better-fed children
- Teaching children practical fine motor and numeracy skills
Meet Helen
About Me
I am married with two adult daughters. I have been a Qualified Chartered Accountant for 30 years and I am co-founder of an Accountancy Practice called Beansprout.
I am a self-confessed foodie and feeder. I love nothing more than cooking and baking for hours on end to entertain others and see the pure joy on their faces as they enjoy whatever I have created. Whilst I love cooking anything I am particularly known for my desserts.
Why did you decided to volunteer with Food etc?
I was bought up in a family where we gave back, so I have always been community orientated and had many voluntary roles. When I understood the vision for Food etc I know it was something I wanted to be involved with as it aligned with my own values. Food has always been important in my family. Having a healthy meal together, is about more than eating for survival. It gives us an opportunity to spend time together both when preparing and eating the food. Dinner time together was always protected time in our house, and it gave us all a chance to communicate and share a sense of belonging.
I had seen this missing in many young people’s lives as a Girl Guide leader. When I organised pack holidays, many of the brownies had never eaten a meal at a table with family and they were not used to eating healthy home cooked food. This is something that I can help change by being part of Food etc.
Being able to combine a passion for cooking with my financial background means being part of the Food etc team ticks many boxes for me.
What do you enjoy most about working with Food etc?
It is still early days for me, but I am enjoying learning about the different programmes and reading the feedback from participants. To hear the impact that the team at Food etc are having is really rewarding.
What would you say to someone considering volunteering with Food Etc?
Come along and try. Everyone I have met has been so supportive and enthusiastic about what they do. Not only can you help others and give back, but I am also sure you will make some new friends too.
What’s your go to healthy meal – inspire us?
I enjoy making soups from any vegetables we have left over, but one of my favourites is golden vegetable with carrots, parsnip and swede.
Benefits of working with Food etc
Help Food Etc
Donate to Food Etc. to help us teach families how to cook healthy, affordable meals and make better food choices. Your support makes a difference!
