A healthy eating initiative established by local family support charity, Home-Start Aberdeen, will double in size thanks to a significant donation from North Sea operating company, Anasuria Operating Company (AOC). The Recipe for Life project will support families with practical cooking skills, advice on food budgeting, shopping and healthy living.   

“It’s fantastic to be doubling our efforts on Recipe for Life with this support from Anasuria, and we’re absolutely delighted to be their chosen charity for 2023/24,” says Eleanor McEwan, CEO of Home-Start Aberdeen. Coming hot on the heels of a global pandemic, the current cost of living crisis has left more families struggling to cope, with an estimated 1 in 5 of Aberdeen’s children now living in poverty. There are many parents out there with little or no practical cooking experience who want to make changes but don’t know where to start. Through Recipe for Life, we can help parents build their cooking skills and confidence and gain a better understanding of how to improve their family’s diet.”  

Through the provision of one-to-one cooking sessions in families’ own homes with a trained volunteer, food packs, recipes, kitchen equipment, group cooking and food sharing sessions, the project improves family diets, and increases their knowledge, skills and confidence around cooking and healthy eating.  

“The nutrition children receive in their early years can affect the rest of their lives,” continues Eleanor. “Helping parents provide healthy meals and snacks for their children translates to improving their concentration levels, physical and cognitive development, learning outcomes, behaviours and long-term health. This generous donation from Anasuria means we’ll be able to reach an additional 20 families, allowing us to meet our target of supporting 40 families during the year.”  

Richard Beattie CEO of Anasuria Operating Company said: “Anasuria Operating Company (AOC) is delighted to be supporting Home-Start.  Our business is fully aligned with the charity’s aim to provide children with a safe and nurturing environment in which to grow and thrive, something we all want for our children. We recognise the importance of giving back to the local community, especially during these challenging times and we hope that Anasuria Operating Company’s support plays a small but important part to help address some of the broader social issues that affect families in the Aberdeen area.  We are thrilled to begin this partnership and provide ongoing support to Home-Start.” 

For more information, visit: Recipe for Life – Home-Start Aberdeen (homestartaberdeen.org.uk)

For over 30 years Home-Start Aberdeen has been supporting vulnerable families across the city to prevent family crisis and breakdown.  These families have at least one child under the age of five and are typically affected by social isolation, bereavement, relationship problems, illness, disability and financial hardship. Home Start Aberdeen positively welcomes and seeks to ensure we achieve diversity.  We encourage interest from all regardless of age, race, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or nationality.   For more information on Home-Start Aberdeen visit www.homestartaberdeen.org.uk