Cooking for wellness
My introduction to mental health services began in the 1990s working within mental health and family settings where I accumulated over 17 years of experience. My roles included psychiatric ward base work, mental health advice worker and a mental health developmental position for adults and their families within diverse communities.
My direct work with children and young people began with youth work, and children's homes and then I fostered children and young people for the local authority in Suffolk. As part of my community employment, I co-authored a mental health guide which was adopted nationally and qualified with a diploma in Health and Social Care Social Work.
I am trained in life story work, solution-focused and family interventions and I continue to enjoy studying nutrition and cooking for wellness. I am a skilled practitioner in supporting people to enhance their life skills and emotional needs. My initial working background began in the hospitality industry where I first became interested in mentoring others. After 3 years of catering study and qualification, I gained experience in 4 and 5-star hospitality placements and achieved gold and silver catering awards at a national level.
As a keen foodie, I like to use cooking as an outlet for motivational and creative expression for children, young people and adults. This type of activity provides people with an opportunity to express themselves through affective communication, food art, education, nutrition, and taking part in something fun without pressure.