Healthy eating initiative for deaf young people

3rd November 2015

Chopping boardCumbria-DeafVision is addressing obesity and social exclusion issues affecting deaf and hearing-impaired young people by offering cookery workshops as part of a county wide healthy eating initiative.

Already running in Kendal, Cumbria Young People’s Fund awarded £696 to provide six cookery workshops in Whitehaven and the Barrow Community Trust awarded £800 to enable the charity to run monthly sessions in Barrow.

The workshops, which are free to attend, aim to teach deaf and hearing-impaired youngsters how to cook healthy meals from fresh ingredients. Sessions are supervised by a youth worker and facilitated using a sign language interpreter.

Young people have the chance to try and share what they have made. To encourage socialising, there will be games and time to chat to friends. Information and guidance is also on offer for parents.

Ian Wilson, Appeal Director at Cumbria-DeafVision, said: “Research has shown that as well as challenges in learning, deaf children are at an increased risk of obesity-related illness in later life without this type of intervention.

“We believe that deafness should not affect independence, choice and access that is being taken for granted.”

Ellen Clements, Senior Grants & Donor Services Officer at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “We are delighted to support this project. Cumbria-DeafVision are able to reach out to more young people who have significant communication problems, and help them lead healthier more inclusive lives.”

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