AN information session for people interested in becoming volunteer community cooks is being held in Beccles.Funded by NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, the community cook project is linked to the Cook Healthy Eat Well (CHEW) programme which offers members of the public a five-week basic cookery course for free.

AN information session for people interested in becoming volunteer community cooks is being held in Beccles.

Funded by NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, the community cook project is linked to the Cook Healthy Eat Well (CHEW) programme which offers members of the public a five-week basic cookery course for free.

The volunteers will develop cooking skills so they can pass them onto others in their community.

Helen Johnston, healthy living development manager from NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney's community nutrition team, said: “Community Cooks are volunteers who are passionate about supporting others to improve their cooking skills to prepare cheap, healthy and tasty meals.

“We need people who are enthusiastic about cooking meals with simple ingredients and techniques and committed to working with people from their local communities.

““It really is an opportunity for individuals looking to develop their skills, boost their work experience and explore whether working in community settings or around food and catering might be worth following in terms of career.

“It gives people who are perhaps working part time or semi-retired an opportunity to be active and involved in their local community.”

Each volunteer who signs up to become a community cook will be given training to run sessions in their area by NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney's community nutrition team.

Ms Johnston added: “The training is run over six days. As part of the training they will study and be assessed for certificates in CIEH Level 2 Award in Healthier Food and Special Diets, CIEH Level 2 Food Safety in Catering and OCN Level 2 Developing Cooking Skills.

“Following completion of the training, new community cooks will be offered opportunities to shadow CHEW sessions delivered by Community Nutritionists or by experienced Community Cooks before delivering their first CHEW course.”

Interested volunteers can find out more at St Luke's Church of England Church Hall in Beccles from 5pm to 7pm on Wednesday, April 7.

Another information session will be held in Great Yarmouth at The Priory Centre, Priory Plain, Great Yarmouth from 5pm to 7pm on Wednesday, April 14.

Ms Johnston added: “Come along to one of the information evenings in Beccles or Great Yarmouth. These are an opportunity to meet the trainers, find out more about the scheme and ask questions.”

For more information contact the community nutrition team by emailing nutrition@gyctrust.co.uk calling 01493 852200 or writing to Europa House, Nottingham Way, Great Yarmouth, NR30 2SA.