Link-Up Leith is a 2.25-year partnership project between Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA), Changeworks, Edinburgh Community Food, Stepping Stones and Manor Estates Housing Association. Link-Up Leith partners support people living on low incomes to have improved life skills and confidence to tackle fuel and food poverty issues themselves. Within the Link-up Leith project, Edinburgh Community Food deliver cookery skills courses, REHIS training courses and community meals across Leith.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, our cookery skills courses have been taking place online.  Edinburgh Community Food works closely with Changeworks to deliver Kitchen Canny workshops to help people understand the importance of eating a nutritious and balanced diet and how to achieve this affordably by using their fuel efficiently to manage the cost. The group also covers topics such as meal planning and making food bills go further and reduce food waste. Groups have made a variety of main meals including fajitas, soups, lentil Bolognese, pizzas and bean chilli.

 

“Thanks, we really enjoyed making it and I shocked myself by liking it I use to not like peppers or mushrooms as a child but I had a big bowl full it was delicious, the healthiest thing I have eaten in a very long time, so many thanks” Project participant

We also deliver REHIS courses within the Link-up Leith project. REHIS courses are designed to improve skill, knowledge and confidence. The courses that we can deliver under Link-up Leith are:

• Elementary Food Hygiene
• Elementary Food & Health
• Allergy Awareness
• Eating Well for Older People
• Food and Health for Carers of an Adult with a Learning Disability

All REHIS courses are certificated and people report that REHIS certificates are useful in gaining employment.

We are planning lots of upcoming events and activities for next year. Please get in touch with [email protected] if you are interested in hearing more about the project and plans.