Following the COVID-19 outbreak the team at Ranaich House had to put restrictions on certain group activities. One of these was the cooking group. Kirsty, the service’s activity co-ordinator was keen to find a way to help residents carry on cooking so sat down with Jo, the head chef, to come up with a solution. The result was ‘Cooking Skills with Jo’.
Jo spends dedicated 1:1 time with all of the residents who were interested in developing their cooking skills. Maintaining social distancing and ensuring that gloves and aprons were used, Jo initially helped residents prepare their own dinner. As restrictions began to ease the scope of the cooking was expanded to helping prepare a meal for the whole service. This was then turned into a Masterchef cooking session. Well done Steven for his chicken and pepperoni pasta dish.
As part of the process and the Pathway to Lifeskills, support workers also accompany residents to the local supermarket where they can shop, weigh, buy and pack all of the ingredients needed. At the same time they can also learn about money management.
Cooking Skills with Jo has been so popular that a new theme has been chosen which is ‘Taste the World’. Resident’s get the opportunity to not only cook food from different countries but also get involved in researching recipes, making a flag of the country and also learning more about the country in general.
Located in Dunblane, Ranaich House is a specialist residential service offering care and support in a structured and therapeutic environment for up to 14 adults with learning disabilities and complex needs.