Scarborough Salvation Army cooking on budget course is ‘life-saver’

A Scarborough Salvation Army project which teaches cooking and budgeting skills has had a transformative impact on participants with 150 people now completing the course. 

Led by Lindsey Barker, The Salvation Army’s free six-week Victory Programme is inspired by the resourcefulness shown during the Second World War. Two courses, one focused on batch cooking and the other on baking, demonstrate how to cook meals for less than £1 a portion while also helping to build confidence. 

Launched four years ago at the church and charity in Alma Parade, it is also helping to connect people to each other, fostering friendship and tackling isolation in the community.  

The course has had a lifesaving impact on Stephen, 65, who was struggling mentally after a traumatic medical episode. Having always wanted to learn how to cook, he described coming to The Salvation Army as the ‘best thing I ever did.’ 

Stephen said: “The Victory Programme gets me out. My confidence was shot and I wouldn’t mix with anybody, I’d stopped going to the pub with my friends, but this course got me mixing again. The people here are lovely, nothing is too much trouble for them. 

“Coming here did my mental health so much good and I think it would be fair to say it helped save my life. It got me out of the depths of despair. At my appointments with the hospital (for mental health), all I was talking about was the Victory Programme, I wasn’t talking about depression and being lonely, I was talking about how this has changed my life, it’s a marvellous thing. I have got a smile on my face now. 

“I’d never cooked much before, but I made sausage rolls and the compliments from my wife made me feel cock-a-hoop!” 

People start with the six-week cookery course and then move on to a six-week bakery course if they wish to. There are around six people in each cohort with the course running six or seven times a year. People can be referred by agencies or can self-refer directly with The Salvation Army.

Each dish on the cookery course is intended to serve four people for about £1 a serving. They cook batch meals like hotpots, curries, casseroles, and BBQ chicken. 

Victory Programme Co-ordinator Lindsey said the course’s purpose is to teach life skills and how to make healthy choices on a budget, but it also helps get people who are socially isolated out of the house.  

She said: “We see some remarkable changes in people. Some will be very socially isolated and hardly going out of the house. When they first come through the doors they are anxious and unsure, but then they start to open up and they blossom. 

“We offer a warm, safe space which makes people want to keep coming. Many are now popping into our coffee morning on a Saturday and a few have started coming to Sunday worship and bringing their children to our Kingdom Kids youth group. Others are volunteering with us.” 

Participant Jayne, 65, said: “I’d been on my own so long that the idea of walking into a room of people that I didn’t know made me nervous, but it was very welcoming. The volunteers take you under their wing, they really care about people and take the time to get to know you. 

“There have been many benefits - health wise, saving time and money, and getting my enthusiasm for cooking back. It's much more fun cooking with other people than on my own.” 

Louise, who lives with dementia, found the group helped her meet people who are kind and care about her.

Louise, 57, said: “I thoroughly enjoy coming to Victory Programme because it puts me in the right frame of mind. Before I mixed with people who weren’t so good for me, but now I mix with people who are kind and care for me. 

“The Victory Programme also shows you a cheaper way of cooking main meals. Before, I was just buying meals for the freezer and that doesn’t taste the same. I’m getting a new skill and learning about healthy eating.” 

And Peter, 35, first took part three years ago after he moved into his own property and was struggling with his confidence. Peter now returns to help others who are doing the programme for the first time. 

Peter said: “I never enjoyed cooking, I took no joy in it and much preferred sticking something in the oven and walking away until it was done, but you come here and you’re having a laugh with other people while you’re doing it, I much prefer that. It's helped me knowing that I can cook meals to last a few days on a budget as well.” 

Scarborough Salvation Army, which is led by Majors Ionel and Roxana Sandu, run a number of activities throughout the week as well as worship on a Sunday. Please see their website for more information https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/scarborough