Many families are facing food insecurity, financial pressure and emotional strain. At Maymessy, we offer hands-on support through cookery and wellbeing programmes that teach practical skills like meal planning, cooking on a budget and healthy eating. Parents and carers build confidence, improve their family's nutrition and connect with others in a welcoming, supportive environment.

Cooking on a budget

Since 2021, we’ve supported over 30 parents and carers, along with their 70+ dependents, through our Cooking on a Budget workshops. These sessions focus on creating affordable, healthy meals using food bank staples, store cupboard ingredients and seasonal produce from our own garden.

From tins of chickpeas and lentils to butternut squash and courgettes, we show families how to cook simple meals that are nutritious, cost-effective and satisfying. Participants go home with ingredients, new recipes, and the skills to replicate what they’ve learned.

Our workshops extend far beyond the kitchen. Families who attend often face complex pressures, such as single parenting, caring responsibilities, long-term unemployment, or trauma. We aim to create a non-judgemental space where participants can build new routines, improve their health, and take time for themselves.

Fresh food, fresh direction

We’ve supported survivors of abuse, people living with anxiety, and individuals who haven’t cooked a fresh meal in years.

Over time, we’ve seen people return to work, pursue training, run half marathons, and grow their self-belief

We are proud to work with individuals who want to make lasting changes for their families — whether that’s improving food choices, reducing loneliness, or discovering a renewed sense of purpose..

“Maymessy makes me feel calm. It is a very calm, relaxing environment. You get here, and all your worries do not disappear, but they are not at the forefront. You come here to have your detox as it is a nice, calm place.”— Micala

"I am learning a lot about veg, really enjoying it and never touched any of these vegetables apart from tin tomatoes. Really educational and I did not realise how easy it was to cook from fresh. When I moved out and got my own family and I do the school run and I have work and I have no time. It is hard to cook. I will use your cooking skills and will def do the curry again." — Stacie

Cooking as a first step

Each programme includes extra support — gardening activities, first aid sessions, visual recipe booklets and mentorship opportunities. We also offer volunteering routes and invite participants to continue their involvement through our community gardening club.

In partnership with Project Salama and other local organisations, we design our sessions to reflect different cultural backgrounds, respond to past trauma with care, and welcome people from all walks of life.

You can read more about our work with families facing food insecurity and financial stress in our Cost of Living brochure.