The Men’s Grub Club, run by Cook for Good is an organisation working to tackle food insecurity, barriers to work and social isolation on the Priory Green Estate.
The Men’s Grub Club is a programme for older men on the estate, particularly those who are retired, living alone, and socially isolated. They come together to learn cooking skills and gain confidence, including how to get the best out of using the pantry, how to batch cook, and how to eat healthily on a budget. At the end of every session, the participants eat the meal they have prepared together, providing a chance to socialise and get to know each other. The Grub Club is a project funded by our Golden Grant Makers panel last year.
Who is accessing Cook for Good’s programmes?
- 84% are unemployed, retired or have ill health that prevents them from working
- 41% struggle to pay for food
- 65% report feeling isolated.
“Making pies is not as difficult as I imagined. Thank you so much to Cook for Good for including me in this amazing course.”
“The Grub Club is a group of older men coming together each month to put on a pinny and cook. It breaks down barriers, tackles stereotyping, and gives us men the chance to learn to cook, or cook better. It’s great for our mental health, giving us something to look forward to, and our physical health too. We’re socializing, making new friends, working together and having a laugh; everyone enjoys their time together.”
Images: The Grub Club, Cook for Good in Islington
Organisations like these are facing huge strain, with both demand for services and running costs rising. Without you, vital projects like the Good Neighbours’ Scheme, Grub Club and Mother2Mother couldn’t continue to provide essential points of connection and support for local people.
