We will work with asylum seeking and refugee individuals and families in Ashford, offering twice-weekly sessions focusing on cooking and sharing food, crafting and creative arts and learning English and about life in the UK. We will focus on positive mental health, building confidence and resilience, social networks, a sense of community and healthy lifestyles. People will learn how to cook budget friendly and affordable meals in the UK, and have an opportunity to cook and share meals from their home country. Alongside the cooking, other participants will have English lessons, participate sports activities, attend events in the local community, and in work alongside local artists and volunteers on creative arts projects- these will give opportunities for the whole family to work together, At the end of each session the groups will come together to share the meal that has been cooked. Once a month we will welcome people from the wider community to come and share a meal with us.

What we'll deliver:

• 26 community based creative arts sessions for refugees, people seeking asylum and others in Ashford
• 26 Tastes From Home Sessions, for families to people cook and share food together in Ashford
• 6 Community Meals, inviting the wider local community to share food cooked by refugees and people seeking asylum

Why it's a great idea:

Refugees and people seeking asylum will have increased wellbeing, These groups will have a better understanding of and become more integrated into the local community, and Ashford will become a more cohesive community.

Steps to get it done:

• Cooking sessions start
• First Community Meal
• First creative sessions
• Attend community event as a group
• Participants report increased wellbeing
• Participants report improvement in English skills