Over a 6 month period at Big River Bakery in Newcastle we will provide family baking sessions to local families and individuals - demonstrating how to bake and cook nutritious food from scratch and on a budget and also provide breakfast bags of food to local schools to help children in food poverty - a need that has been brought to our attention by the schools. We have been contacted by 2 local schools, home schooling groups, individuals and local organisations - including West End Refugee Service / St Vincent De Pauls Charity, Newbridge Project who have all confirmed that there is the need for these activities in the local community.

What we'll deliver:

• Provide 1000 breakfast bags to local schools for children experiencing food poverty
• Provide 30 x baking sessions (up to 300 participants)

Why it's a great idea:

This project has numerous benefits. The baking sessions will help support local families and individuals - particularly in the present economic climate - they will support food education - demonstrate how to bake / cook affordable meals from scratch - help to minimise waste - provide skills - family activities and well-being. It will also help with the issue of social isolation - by bringing people together - particularly individuals who live alone. We also hope these sessions will be cross- generational and help with social connectedness - mental health and combat trends in loneliness - particular over the winter months coming together in the safe and warm space of the bakery.

Steps to get it done:

• 30/11/2022 schools engaged for breakfast bags and baking scheme promoted
• 31/12/2023 Participants recruited
• 16/01/2023 Breakfast bags and baking activities implemented