FOOD COURSE IMPROVES LIVES FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED
10/03/2008

Have you ever wondered how you would cope having diabetes and constantly checking every item of food you buy?  Now, try to do this being blind or visually impaired.

Henshaws Society for Blind People has received funding from GoodFund for a training course that helps people who are blind or visually impaired and also suffer with diabetes.  The kitchen skills and calorie counting course took place at the SureStart centre in Cowgate.

The charity based in Newcastle sourced specialist equipment including talking microwaves, talking jugs, talking kitchen scales as well as brightly coloured timers and chopping boards.  The course was also taped on an audio machine meaning that attendees could play back any important hints and tips when they got back to their kitchens at home.

Alison Blackburn, who is visually impaired and has insulin dependent diabetes, said:
“I don’t like cooking at all however after attending this course even I’ve been converted.   It was a great way to meet people who understand the challenges we face everyday and I would thoroughly recommend this to anyone who suffers with both conditions.”

Diane Protheroe and Audrey Kuhnbaum, who also suffer with sight problems and have diabetes, also attended the ten week course.  Diane said:
“The course was a great way to find out about the latest equipment available for people who are visually impaired and we have decided to buy some of it for our kitchens at home as a result.”

Penny Forster, Rehabilitation Officer at Henshaws said:  “We are really excited that we were able to help people like Diane, Alison and Audrey by introducing them to specially designed equipment which makes cooking that little bit easier.  We are really keen to improve blind people’s independence through education and training, and these skills are vital in helping people to lead a healthy, happy life.”

David Mitchell, CEO of Henshaws in the North East, said: 
“This pilot course aimed to bring together people who are impaired visually and also suffer from diabetes to learn new skills and improve their confidence in the kitchen.  As everyone has different needs, it wasn’t a case of one size fits all and we had to tailor our approach specific to each individual.  We are delighted this has been such a success and express our great thanks to GoodFund for the funding.”

Henshaws now hopes to secure further funding support in order to roll out the course throughout the North East.