Preston North End Community and Education Trust [PNECET] is to deliver the Play And Skills At Teatime Activities [PASTA] programme as part of a new nationwide scheme helping families with young children to practice cooking healthy and affordable recipes.
Families with children between five and eight-years-old will learn to cook six different recipes over the course of a six-week programme, which will be delivered across four wards of Preston within local primary schools and community centres.
The Lancashire County Council-funded programme will provide families with ideas for fun after-school activities, designed to promote healthy lifestyles through diet and exercise choices in a fun, interactive and safe environment.
The programme will also aim to help families with their understanding of healthy eating, budgeting, shopping, perceived ‘fussy’ eating and takeaways, as well as highlighting the importance of physical activity.
Sessions over the course of the six weeks will comprise physical activity sessions for all of the family to get involved in, along with classroom learning opportunities, which will include expert delivery providers to support with the cooking aspect of the session.
Children will have the opportunity to learn about and experience the culture and cuisine of foods from around the world through the recipes provided.
The programme will be delivered to selected children and families during sessions which will take place after school at various locations.
Head of Health and Wellbeing Jessica Riley said: “We’re excited to be involved in the PASTA programme to help young children and their families with practicing healthy eating at home.
“This programme will reach a targeted selection of children and families who we are confident will benefit greatly from learning about how they can lead a healthy lifestyle at home in an affordable manner.
“We look forward to working with primary schools and community groups in various areas of Preston to reach those children and families most in need to leave a lasting and positive impact on them moving forward.”