Bayside Community Care Unit (CCU) residents are mixing things up with a new cooking club, designed to teach them new skills in a fun and supportive environment.
‘Bite Club’ was founded by Advanced Peer Recovery Support Worker Sue Rutherford in November 2023 as a way to help residents create healthy and tasty food from scratch.
“It all began with the 'no churn ice cream with fresh strawberry ripple and fresh fruit salad', which is also the most popular recipe and has now been made five times in Bite Club,” said Sue.
“Any resident can identify a food or meal they want to either recreate or learn to cook, before saying what they will help with.
“Some will want to be actively involved in prepping ingredients, our peelers, fryers and helpers, others will be involved by keeping track of the recipe on the wall, others will find equipment, wash dishes, offer encouragement to others and some will watch and enjoy the social aspect of Bite Club.”
It’s giving residents a taste of independent living and spicing up the incredible support provided.
The Bayside CCU is a community-based, residential rehabilitation services for adults who are recovering from mental illness, with a focus on developing independent living skills and building resilience for a smooth transition into the community.
“It’s also an opportunity to problem solve should things not go to plan. It is a friendly, accepting space that builds confidence in our residents by having fun and producing the food together,” said Sue.
Bite Club has proven to be a big hit, with residents saying, “it’s lovely, I enjoy it,” and “I enjoy the smell of the food and it’s fun.”
To make the initiative even sweeter, each recipe is made into a Member’s Card so residents, their families, or anyone visiting CCU can recreate the delicious dishes themselves.
Well done to Sue and the team for your compassionate approach to partnering with consumers.