Cooking Up a Storm – Men’s Health and Wellbeing

A cookery demonstration held by the Public Health Agency (PHA) has provided food for thought for a local men’s group.

The demonstration took place recently in the Ballyoran Community Centre in east Belfast and was attended by members of the Ballybeen Men’s Motivation Group.

The demonstration gave examples of how to cook healthy, tasty and quick meals on a budget.

Speaking about the demonstration, Séamus Mullen, the PHA’s Head of Social and Wellbeing Improvement in Belfast, said: “The overall aim is to get some of the men trained up in the Cook It! programme so they can deliver it in turn  to other members of the group, and to develop knowledge and skills in healthy eating and basic cookery.”

The Cook It! programme is a community-based nutrition education programme which aims to increase awareness and understanding of key nutrition messages, develops cooking skills and helps raise awareness of good food hygiene. The Cook It! programme is delivered by trained community tutors and lasts six weeks. Each week the group will cook a variety of dishes which they will then sit down to eat and enjoy together.

The Men’s Motivation Group was set up in 2012 to improve the health and wellbeing of men in the Ballybeen area. The group encourages social interaction between men and brings confidence to their lives through a range of activities aimed at improving their physical, social and mental wellbeing.

Andy Tyrie, the Chair of the Men’s Motivation Group, said that the cookery demonstration had been beneficial to the men.

“They were able to see how they could cook healthy meals without spending a lot of money.

“On behalf of the men’s group I would like to thank the staff of the Ballyoran Centre, Castlereagh Council, the PHA and Sustrans for their continued support.”