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Cooking at the Hub and Birthday Celebrations!

A man and a woman sat at a table preparing scones with cream and jam

This week at The Hub, we stepped away from our usual dinner and dessert routine to celebrate a special occasion: AW’s birthday, with a classic afternoon tea. Led by Cayton and Louise, the group prepared a delicious spread that included homemade fruit scones (topped generously with jam and clotted cream), air-fryer scotch eggs, and a selection of sandwiches.

Scones ready for the oven
A man and a woman sat at a table preparing scones with cream and jam

The kitchen was full of energy and teamwork. DaE took charge of the scones, AB handled egg prep, and AW, DE, and J assembled sandwiches for everyone. Despite a slight hiccup with the eggs (and a postponed Victoria sponge), a shop-bought chocolate cake saved the day – because every good party needs cake!

A woman peeling boiled eggs
A chocolate birthday cake with white chocolate curls on top and six lit candles

The Hub was decorated, candles were lit, and the group sang Happy Birthday as AW opened his card. It was a lovely celebration and a great example of how shared activities can build confidence and social skills.

Man leaning over a birthday cake ready to blow out the candles

If you’re a professional working with individuals who have additional needs, and you’re looking for meaningful, engaging activities like this for your clients, get in touch. Our team at Community Enablement Team offers supportive sessions that are as fun as they are empowering.

Contact us to find out more about what we offer.

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Cooking Club at The Hub: A Delicious Wednesday

Two members of The Hub Cooking Club preparing ingredients at a table. One is sifting flour into a mixing bowl while the other looks on, both focused on their task. A small vase of sunflowers sits on the table, along with some chopped onions ready for cooking.

Wednesday at The Hub, we had a fantastic cooking session where everyone pitched in to create a classic comfort meal – Bangers and Mash followed by a tray bake berry crumble with custard. The session was led by Cayton and Louise, who made sure everyone got involved, and the results were outstanding! There’s something about cooking together that makes food taste even better, and this week was no exception.

If you’d like to join us, please call 01623 397750 or speak to your Community Support Worker

A member of The Hub Cooking Club preparing a berry crumble. She is holding a mixing bowl filled with crumble topping, sprinkling it over the tray bake. In the background, another member is stirring a pot on a portable stove, with a small vase of sunflowers adding a cheerful touch to the kitchen workspace.
A plate of bangers and mash served with mixed vegetables and rich onion gravy, garnished with freshly chopped chives. The sausages are golden brown, and the mashed potatoes are creamy, making for a classic, comforting meal.
A close-up of a serving of bangers and mash, featuring two sausages topped with rich onion gravy, creamy mashed potatoes, and a garnish of fresh chives. Mixed vegetables are placed alongside, adding a pop of color to this comforting meal.
A member of The Hub Cooking Club sitting at a table, smiling and enjoying a plate of bangers and mash with mixed vegetables. She is holding a fork, ready to dig in. The room has a bright leaf-patterned wallpaper, adding a cheerful backdrop to the scene.
A bowl of warm berry crumble topped with a generous layer of creamy custard. The dessert looks comforting and inviting, perfect for a sweet treat after a hearty meal.
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New Members and Tasty Dishes at the Hub!

A woman in a grey Puma sweatshirt grates cheese on a white cutting board in preparation for cooking. A box of lasagne sheets and a baking tray sit on the table beside her.

Two new members have joined our culinary group recently! Each week, we learn new recipes, hone our cooking skills, and enjoy the fruits of our labour. Our menu featured a classic comfort food duo: a beef lasagne followed by a creamy cheesecake for dessert.

Everyone jumped right in, using the skills they’ve developed over the weeks. It’s incredible to see how far the group has come, with each member taking pride in each step of the cooking process. From layering the perfect lasagne to mastering the art of a smooth cheesecake, the team worked together with focus, creativity, and plenty of laughs.

As we gathered around to taste the results, there was a clear consensus: these dishes were a hit! Conversation flowed as everyone enjoyed the lasagne, and dessert was met with eager smiles. Seconds were in high demand, and it wasn’t long before both dishes were polished off!

The group agreed this menu was a winner, and we’re all looking forward to doing it again soon!

Whether you’re a seasoned chef or new to cooking, there’s a place for everyone here at cooking at the Community Hub. We’d love to welcome even more new faces, so join us next week for another delicious adventure in the kitchen!

A woman in a grey Puma sweatshirt grates cheese on a white cutting board in preparation for cooking. A box of lasagne sheets and a baking tray sit on the table beside her.
A woman in a white sleeveless top stands at a sink, washing dishes. A variety of kitchen tools and cleaning supplies are visible on the counter around her.
Two people, an elderly woman and a younger man, sit on a grey couch enjoying plates of food. They appear to be focused on their meals, with empty plates nearly visible.
A smiling woman in a purple sweater spreads cheesecake filling into a pan. She wears gloves, and kitchen tools and ingredients are arranged on the table around her.
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Cooking Sessions at the Community Hub – Update

Here’s some fab pictures of one of our recent cooking sessions at the Community Hub!

After discussing with staff and service users, we’ve decided on the costs for our Wednesday sessions. From October onwards, there will be a £2 contribution toward the ingredients for our 2-course meals, which includes the main dish and a pudding.

A smiling woman sitting on a grey sofa, holding a fork and plate with a partially eaten meal in her hand. She is wearing glasses, a grey cardigan, and floral sandals. On the white coffee table in front of her, there is a can of Sprite and some scattered papers. Another person is seated next to her, slightly out of view, wearing a blue shirt.

Refreshments will continue to be charged as they have been previously.

A man and woman sitting on a grey sofa, both holding plates with food. The woman, wearing glasses, an orange 'Active Ashfield' t-shirt, and camouflage trousers, has a plate of sweet potato fries. The man is wearing a checkered fleece jacket and grey sweatpants, holding a fork and plate with a meal covered in gravy. A floral pink bag rests on the floor next to the woman. In front of them is a white coffee table with a water bottle and various items.

Thank you to everyone who has participated in these sessions so far!

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Becca’s Life Skills Academy on YouTube

Due to Coronavirus, Becca, our Specialist Provision Lead hasn’t been able to get out and about as she normally would. For the past couple of months, Becca has been creating a brilliant and easy to understand collection of life skill video’s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a_GhyZmWjg

Becca’s Life Skills Academy can help with doing things around the house, cooking, cleaning, managing money, understanding our feelings and much more.

Email becca.oseman@challengect.co.uk if you would like to be added to the mailing list for the Life Skills Academy!

You can find Becca’s Life Skills Academy on the CCT Community Enablement Team YouTube channel here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XlyF6fT9JQ