31 Mar Meet Freyja from Groundwork Northamptonshire

Meet Freyja from Groundwork Northamptonshire, the coordinator for an exciting new project, funded by public health, in which growing, cooking and healthy eating initiatives are being rolled out across North Northamptonshire to build local resilience and empower individuals, equipping them with tools and tips to lead healthier lifestyles.

This initiative will focus on the communities most at risk of a poor diet and will address health inequalities in North Northamptonshire, as well as harnessing the knowledge and expertise already available.

Groundwork Northamptonshire, which already supports communities through a range of environmental and youth projects, has been awarded £250,000, to be spread over two years. The charity will also distribute grants to voluntary and community groups in Northamptonshire.

Freyja says ‘The project is off to a flying start, participants at Wellingborough Daylight Centre and Kingswood Neighbourhood Centre, are taking on a 6-week cooking course, cooking DIY pot noodles and hearty lentil shepherds pie, our vegetarian programme has provided a delicious solution to the cost of living crisis, allowing beneficiaries to walk away with healthier alternatives to some of the costly classics! As spring approaches, we will be jumping at the opportunity to get our green fingers out and grow our future, together.’

Participants share what they would like to learn and cook and have a direct influence on the course content. The project is developing organically with collaboration from groups in North Northants and Freyja reports it is already making a real difference to people’s lives. Some of the participants had never chopped a vegetable before and are growing in confidence and reporting improved mental health.

Around two in every three adults (66%) in Northamptonshire are overweight or obese. Being overweight or obese is the leading cause of years of life lost to disability, and other long-term conditions which is why reducing obesity levels, and the number of adults who are overweight in the adult population in North Northamptonshire, is a key priority.

Being at a healthy weight, or reducing weight, is also vitally important to improve residents’ health and well-being. Research has shown that increasing people’s skills in preparing food helps them to make better choices when it comes to nutrition and reduced calorie intake.

Keep your eyes peeled for projects coming to a community near you, or, if you’re already on the path to a sustainable future, let Groundwork know how they can support your efforts & contact Freyja.davis@groundwork.org.uk