Housing Newsletter - December 2022
Better Lives
Cooking up fun on a budget in Salisbury
Wiltshire Council housing tenants in Salisbury have been taking part in cookery classes organised by the Resident Engagement Team and run by The Pantry Partnership CIC, at St Michaels Community Centre, Bemerton Heath, aimed at giving those involved the skills and confidence to eat healthily and on a budget.
The Pantry Partnership is a social enterprise based in and around Salisbury who work with the local community, providing low cost, nutritious meals from surplus food that normally would go to waste and offering cooking workshops and food related activities that engage people around food and the benefits of low cost and healthy cooking.
Cllr Phil Alford, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Housing, said: "Supporting communities to live safely and healthily is a key priority in our business plan and with the current cost of living crisis, and the ever more important need to save money and budget effectively, we are delighted to team up with The Pantry Partnership to deliver these cookery courses to some of our Salisbury families.
"Our housing resident engagement officers are always looking to work with residents to provide opportunities to be involved in positive activities that promote skill development, as well helping them to adopt healthy behaviours while keeping costs down.
"We hope to be able to offer more of these courses in the future."
Siobhan, one of the course participants, said: "Thank you so much for such a great start to the cookery course. We love our aprons and knives!"
Anyone wishing to get more involved in the community, find volunteering opportunities or help the council improve the services that it offers can contact the Housing Resident Engagement team on 0300 456 0117 option 5 or email at Tenantparticipation@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window).
Warm spaces at Castle Meadow in Downton
December gets off to a great start on Tuesday mornings at our Castle Meadow sheltered scheme in Downton.
The Resident Engagement team were approached by community volunteers to see if the scheme would be willing to host a weekly warm space coffee morning in the communal lounge. With so much support from residents it was agreed that the sessions could start as soon as possible.
Residents joined local volunteer Stephanie who provided tea, fresh coffee, biscuits and toast. Resident Engagement officers Kate and Caz were delighted to join tenants for the first taster session which was a great success resulting in weekly sessions planned throughout December and beyond.
Tenant Gloria said, "This is just what is needed during the darker winter days."
The sessions are open to local residents who can find a warm welcome in the cosy communal lounge and catch up with their neighbours with a chance to meet more. All refreshments are free and provided by the volunteers through community fund raising.