Many community health projects provide people with advice and support on every aspect of living with, and recovering from, mental ill health. Healthy eating, cookery and growing are all activities that can support an individual as they move along the road of recovery and wellbeing. Food activities can contribute to a healthier lifestyle, help a person regain self-confidence and a sense of belonging to a community. Many projects, like community cafés, are a good base for learning work-related skills and moving into volunteering or paid employment.

Let’s Make it Better – Sunlite Café

Cookery skills | Mental health and wellbeing

Let’s Make It Better’s Sunlite Café in Stirling gives people with mental health challenges the opportunity to gain self-confidence and skills in a friendly, supportive environment. Members are involved as volunteers in running the café and offered formal training in food and hygiene. In 2014 nine volunteers tried out the new REHIS Elementary Cooking Skills course, with funding from CFHS.

Read ‘Let’s Make it Better – Sunlite Café’ here

Stepping Out – eating and growing food together

Community gardening | Mental health and wellbeing

Stepping Out is a voluntary organisation based in the North Berwick Community Centre. The aim of the organisation is to provide people with mental health problems (mostly severe and enduring) with an opportunity to participate in various food-based activities.

Read ‘Stepping Out – eating and growing food together’ here