What we do & why
Our response to food insecurity in Dorset
We've created a model for local, community-based intervention that works. Our friendly team of tutors and volunteers delivers cooking workshop programmes tailored to each community's unique mix of challenges and the specific needs of people at all stages of life.
Our expertise is the foundation of our success. We combine the right skills with a curious, listening attitude that ensures we direct our work to where it’s needed, and we evolve our offering as local needs change. We’re grounded in listening to the community and partner feedback that helps us recognise the nuanced and often hidden nature of food insecurity and food poverty.
"I really wanted to be able to budget and cook tasty, healthy meals. I am now batch cooking, using herbs and spices and buying fresh but cheaper ingredients. I’ve also lost weight, and the classes keep me busy and interested.”
We have developed a deep understanding, from shared lived experiences, of the complex and hidden challenges faced by families and vulnerable individuals, from rural isolation to financial pressures and vulnerabilities in seemingly affluent areas. We understand how food insecurity affects families across different socio-economic backgrounds, not just in areas of obvious deprivation where we know food poverty exists.
And our team brings together nutritional expertise, a passion for cooking, and a skilled, empathetic approach to workshop planning and delivery.
We deliver our own sessions, partner with community partners, housing associations and local authorities, and train other community organisations to run their own cooking activities.
We create safe, inclusive spaces where people come together to cook, learn, eat, and build their skills, healthy habits, confidence and self-esteem. Families come together to learn how to make simple, nourishing meals without breaking the bank. Parents gain practical skills and fresh inspiration for feeding their households, while children build confidence, curiosity, and joy around food. People living in isolation feel more seen, supported, and connected. Every workshop creates moments of connection, confidence, and care.
We help
- New parents and young families
- Families on low incomes or who face financial challenges
- Young people and youth groups who support them
- Adults with mental health challenges or learning disabilities
- Vulnerable and minority groups including local ethnic minority groups, refugees, people with additional needs or disabilities and those out of work.
- Parents of children who are fussy eaters or refuse food, or have sensory challenges around food
- Older people who may face financial difficulties or isolation.
We help every participant see and celebrate the skills and confidence they build, to support lasting changes that build family and community resilience exactly where it is most needed across Dorset.
“These classes are great and are inspiring me to get cooking. I’m learning how to cook well and I’m also boosting my confidence with the Friendly Food Club and taking that away with me.”
Our impact
We know that what we do works
Our targeted support creates real, lasting change illustrated by hundreds of stories of improved confidence and wellbeing, managing health conditions and increasing the range of foods eaten by family members.
Between April 2023 and March 2024 we delivered 475 workshops and sessions, directly engaging and supporting 10,670 people.
Our evaluation framework helps us capture and regularly revisit community and beneficiary-led needs, ideas and suggestions. Working with our partners we have identified three key measures that are available across all our events/interactions, that are most meaningful to participants, and which guide our session planning and delivery.
On these three key measures, our beneficiary evaluation shows that:
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93% agree that they learned new cooking skills |
92% agree that they have tried something new |
90% agree that they feel motivated to make changes to their or their family’s diet |
What’s more...
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99% of participants enjoy our workshops |
100% agree that our tutors and volunteers are supportive and friendly |
90% feel more confident to cook after the workshops |
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84% say they will now cook more at home
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81% feel they will cook a greater range of meals at home
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82% say they will make healthier choices
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66% will buy less convenience food
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Read or download our Annual Review 24/5 here
FFC Annual Review 2024 25 Spreads 1.pdf
But don't take our word for it
read what some of our beneficiaries have to say:
Read our social impact stories
Important information
We are a registered charity, No. 1201623.
We are a registered food business with a 5-star hygiene rating from March 2025.
Our tutors hold a level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene certificate, FSA Allergens certificate and DBS checked. We also seek to support our volunteers through this training.
We have regularly reviewed policies as required by law and best practice, available upon request.
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