Greater London Authority, Central YMCA, Groundwork London, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, University of East London
Funded by
Big Lottery Fund and various local authorities
Year
2008 – 2015
Location
London-wide
Brief
LSx’s food projects addressed both the supply and demand side for healthy eating:
Buywell set out to enable people to have access to affordable healthy food, whilst Eatwell was set up to create the demand. Eatwell had three main elements:
- Community Feasts: events that reached out to and brought the community together in celebration, with healthy food at its heart
- Cook & Eat classes that enabled participants to understand the benefits of healthy eating and to feel confident in food preparation
- ActiveEAT: a youth engagement project that trained young people (mostly young men) to champion healthy eating alongside active lifestyles to their peer groups.
Cook & Eat courses delivered across London had a significant impact on people’s awareness and actions with regards to leading healthier lifestyles through food. Our exit surveys indicated that:
- 70% of participants reported an increase in eating fruit and vegetables
- On average, across Cook & Eat programmes, there was a 50% increase in weekly fruit and vegetable consumption by participants (equal to an extra portion of both fruit and vegetables per week) increasing their ‘five-a-day’ by at least two portions.
- 34% said they were cooking more meals from basic ingredients for themselves and their families, on a weekly basis.
Achievement
270 Delivery Team volunteers engaged
15,000 people reached by Wellnet activities
80% participants felt healthier, happier and enabled to make positive changes in their lives
1,600 people involved in ‘Cook & Eat’ courses
