PCP cooking course gifts skills and kitchen essentials

Participants in a community cooking programme delivered by health and wellbeing charity Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) are continuing their cooking journeys at home after being gifted their own cooking equipment on completion of the course.

Some of the 'Nourishing Pan' course participants with their bags of utensils, aprons and cooking pan.

Thanks to funding from the Point North Community Grant Fund, 14 local people took part in a series of accredited four-week cooking courses delivered in partnership with Bishop Auckland College. The programme helped participants develop practical cooking skills, learn how to prepare healthy, affordable meals and build confidence in the kitchen.

To help them put their new skills into practice, each participant received a free electric cooking pan and a kitchen starter kit, complete with utensils and an apron.

The courses were designed to support people facing a range of challenges, including social isolation, loneliness, food poverty and rising household costs. Alongside learning new recipes and cooking techniques, participants had the opportunity to meet new people, share experiences and build lasting connections in a welcoming environment.

Lucie Fieldson, Community Development Officer at PCP, said: "We've had 14 learners take part and received some fantastic feedback. It has been wonderful to see people grow in confidence, develop new skills and enjoy cooking alongside others.

“We were delighted to be able to provide each participant with an electric cooking pan and kitchen starter kit at the end of the course. This means they can continue cooking at home, use what they've learned and feel more confident preparing affordable, healthy meals for themselves and their families."

Following the success of the programme, PCP is already working with local referral partners to plan future courses, with additional sessions scheduled for September and November 2026.

The initiative reflects PCP's ongoing commitment to helping people improve their health, wellbeing and resilience through practical, inclusive community programmes.

For more information about PCP and its projects and services, visit www.pcp.uk.net