Cooking up a blend of cultural diversity

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has been supporting Community Relations Week by holding a healthy eating and cookery masterclass to celebrate cultural diversity.

Members of ethnic minority communities brought together their healthy recipes in a workshop at Ballymoney Community Resource Centre, to share their cultural origins and food.

The event was organised in partnership with the Networks Involving Communities in Health Improvement (NICHI), the Ballymoney Resource Centre and the Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT).

Madeline Heaney, Head of Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement in the Northern area for the PHA, said: “Addressing the public health needs of black and minority ethnic communities in Northern Ireland is a key priority of the Public Health Agency and following the success of this event, and similar events within the northern area, we hope to build on the networking opportunities and shared understanding of good community relations.

“The Public Health Agency is committed to supporting local voluntary and community sector organisations to improve people’s health and wellbeing, helping them to make healthier choices and tackling health inequalities through a range of programmes supporting minority groups.”

The theme for this year’s Community Relations Week (16-22 June) is “Building a United Community” with the aim to celebrate good relations and the ethnic and cultural diversity of Northern Ireland.

Jill Curry, Dietetic Services Manager for the Northern Trust said: “We were delighted to work in partnership with the PHA and the NICHI officers to celebrate the diverse range of cultures within the Northern area. This has been a great opportunity to share food and recipes from different countries whilst highlighting the health benefits of eating a healthy balanced diet incorporating the five food groups in the right proportions.”