Healthy eating, cooking, growing food and shopping are just some of the independent living skills taken up by people with learning disabilities through community food and health initiatives. Adults with learning disabilities are more likely to have weight problems, so a healthy diet is vital. Just as important, however, is the creative learning environment that helps develop personal and social confidence.
‘A Healthier Me’ aims to make sure that adults with learning disabilities using the Borders support services are supported to get the help they need to eat well and have a healthy lifestyle. The service uses a pathway or toolkit and identifies a key lead member of staff to implement it.
Read ‘‘A Healthier Me’ for adults with learning disabilities’ here
ENABLE Scotland supports adults and children with learning disabilities living in their own homes, or shared accommodation, to achieve their personal goals. Since 2007, it has encouraged its staff to train in nutrition to ensure people using their service receive consistent food and health messages and support.
Read ‘ENABLE Scotland – support for a healthy diet’ here
Based in Edinburgh, Upward Mobility runs workshops for students with a learning disability, covering a wide range of subjects that includes cooking and community gardening.
Read ‘Upward Mobility – cookery and growing projects’ here
The Usual Place – catering and hospitality skills for young people
The Usual Place community café was established to provide high-quality, strengths-based training around catering and hospitality for young adults aged 16-26 with additional support needs, with the aim of enabling them to move on to employment. The café is based in the centre of Dumfries.
Read ‘The Usual Place – catering and hospitality skills for young people’ here