OUR COMMUNITY KITCHEN
- 'Our Community Kitchen' receives Scottish Parliament recognition through motion raised by Iain Gray MSP - "I was delighted to hear about the national recognition for the unique partnership developed between Our Community Kitchen and Haddington Bowling Club. The partnership had already been making a positive impact before the pandemic but fulfilled a really important role during lockdown. Those involved have achieved a huge amount in a relatively short period of time and I felt their contribution and the recognition they have rightfully received was worthy of being acknowledged by Holyrood."
- Determined by their mission to tackle loneliness in the area and united over their passion for food. Our Community Kitchen set plans for growth within the community through planting a community garden. Partnering with local schools Knox Academy and Meadowpark (Meadowpark Knox Academy is for children and young people of secondary school age from East Lothian who have needs primarily associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder). The partnership hopes to develop some of the school's green space into decking, planters and an outdoor kitchen - hosting guest chef demonstrations. Using the chef's creativity and support to build a functional garden in which to grow produce for their gastronomical activities.
- Our Community Kitchen continues their lockdown activities of:
- Cooking and distributing over 100 hot meals 2 days a week for the communities most isolated members
- Kindness calls twice a week to provide isolated members of the community with friendship, support and discussion, aiming to tackle the issue of loneliness (which becomes increasingly difficult during the winter months, this difficulty is inflated by the difficulties the pandemic brings)
- OCK have initiated socially distanced kindness walks, a development on from the kindness calls where isolated members of the community are given the chance to get outdoors safely and enjoy company provided by OCK.