Our goal is to create Croydon's first sustainable community cooking school. Good Food Matters is based in New Addington, Croydon in a unique setting of 1.5 acres of bio-diverse green space with a large eco-built space, greenhouses and a food polytunnel. The charity already provides cooking courses, however, the need for a fully functioning cooking school in Croydon has never been stronger. Childhood and Adult Obesity statistics in Croydon are above average. 20.3% of children between the ages of 4-5 year-olds are obese and 39% of children between the ages of 10-11 (March 2017). Teenage Pregnancy and Mental Health Conditions are both above the England average and 22.7% of children in Croydon live in poverty. 'Good Food Matters' to us all and is integral to ensuring a long and healthier life. By supporting the Good Cook School you will be ensuring a generation of young people learn to cook from scratch nutritious and tasty food through an enhanced outreach programme.

What we'll deliver:

• Create a high-functioning training facility for up to 35 people
• Develop a 12 month calendar of training activities for targeted groups
• Provided accredited training and employment opportunities
• Create a social and therapeutic hands-on gardening opportunities at our site

Why it's a great idea:

The Good Cook School is a project for everyone. Your initial investment will help the project get off the ground, once established the project will be sustainable long-term through profits from cooking masterclasses, corporate training, and private dining experiences. Our vision is simple to teach our community how to cook nutritious and tasty food that improves people's health and wellbeing. The impact of the school will be far-reaching. Its primary impact is health and wellbeing; the school will have a direct impact on obesity and health issues within Croydon whilst also tackling issues around mental health through improved well being. We know our venue is special and has the unique advantage of being surrounded by calmness and tranquility. The secondary impacts include; * Accredited Training and employment opportunities in catering, horticulture, and hospitality * Improved Nutrition training for schools and care homes Sustainable Food Growing accessible to all

Steps to get it done:

• Recruit Cook School Manager
• Re-fit of Kitchen and ordering parts
• Design of Good Food Cook School Brand
• Design and Development of Website including e-commerce site
• Publication of Training calendar
• Launch of Cook School (PR, Communications Plan)
• 1000 hours of volunteering completed

Your support for The Good Cook School is a long-term investment in the community of Croydon. Our business plan demonstrates that the school is financially sustainable in the long term through income generating activities including cooking masterclasses, corporate training and events and private dining activities. Whilst health and wellbeing are at the heart of our school. The school is an amazing resource for the community as a whole; a high-quality training venue offering specialist courses that cater to everyone's tastes from vegan to pizza making we will offer something for everyone. Tackling child obesity in a practical way is our primary aim but the school will also offer the opportunity for anyone of any age to learn to cook on a budget. From families to isolated older people, food is a means to bring people together. The school will offer 'Cook and Chatter' sessions to targeted groups to combat loneliness and improve wellbeing through our targeted eco-minds programme.