CHILDREN with long term health conditions have been growing their confidence, self-esteem, and cooking skills through sessions with the Friendly Food Club charity at Dorset Youth's (DY) headquarters in Dorchester.

Kate Parish, Development Team Lead at DY said: "Dorset Youth, through its delivery of the Dorset County Hospital Youth Service, supports young people aged 11-25 with long term health conditions, and their families across the county.

"Young people are referred to us by the hospital and our goal is to directly support and where appropriate signpost them and their families to services and organisations which can strengthen their wellbeing.

"We worked with the Friendly Food Club during the summer to deliver some cooking sessions with young people, and they were so popular that parents asked if they could take part too - hence we are running this short course.

"The young people have embraced the chance to come along and cook in a relaxed space, whilst receiving gentle support from the Friendly Food Club tutors. It has been wonderful to see their confidence grow as they spend quality time cooking with their loved ones and each other, before sitting down to together to enjoy their food."

Ziva, 13, from Bridport is Diabetic and has been homeschooled since May.

She said: "I was struggling at school, as it wasn't meeting my needs. Since being home schooled, I feel happier, but I still want to meet people. Kate from DY invited my mum and I along to a cooking session in the summer holidays, and it was really good, so we signed up for more."

Ziva's mum Nina agreed: "We have met lots of nice people and learned to cook some new healthy foods which fit well with Ziva's diabetes."

Flynn, 11, has been attending the sessions with his mum Becky, who explained: "Last February, Flynn had a major seizure which was later diagnosed as a brain tumour. He has had to stop playing rugby and the other sports he loved and has lost a lot of his confidence because of this.

"He is now doing well and is back at school and playing sports again and thanks to these sessions he has also discovered a passion and talent for cooking.

"It's been an extremely difficult and frightening time for Flynn and the whole family, but we can't speak highly enough of Kate and the team at DY. Being here cooking with my son, surrounded by other young people with their parents and with the help of Mark and Andria the FFC tutors is just amazing."

Flynn said: "I made Bolognese here in the summer, and it was great. I am enjoying the chance to learn new skills and make new friends.

"Tonight, I am chopping vegetables for a coleslaw to go with gnocchi.

"I want to learn more so I can cook for my family, and I like that I can do this with my mum too."

The Friendly Food Club aims to help children, families and communities make healthy choices by using food and cooking to boost their confidence, curiosity, skills, and connection with others.

Ms Parish said the cooking sessions have been such a success that she is now seeking sponsorship to offer them at Dorset Youth on a regular basis:

"You only need to stand in this room tonight seeing young people cooking, smiling, and interacting with each other to see their value.

"We would like to hear from local organisations and businesses interested in helping us to host more of these sessions. Please get in touch."