Impact
To evaluate impact, we invite parents to complete self-assessment surveys with questions linked to our key aims. We also gather qualitative data through case study interviews and feedback forms.
Our 2023 programme evaluation used feedback from 68 respondents across five delivery settings, and indicated positive impacts across all our key aims.
Family Nutrition
Nutrition
We reduce food poverty, support parents to build knowledge, skills and confidence, and help children to eat a balanced diet.
We provide:
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Low-cost recipes that easy to make at home
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Opportunities to develop skills by working together to prepare food
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A delicious, healthy lunch with additional food to take home
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Information and resources from the NHS, Start4Life, and other trusted sources
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Co-cooking activities for parents and children
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Food bank referrals
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Individual support and guidance for families who need it
We make learning about food interactive and fun. Children love to help with chopping, rolling and mixing, and our family activities include making fruit animals, vegetable treasure hunts, and food-based arts and crafts. Our nutritionally balanced recipes were specially designed for Kitchen Club by Caroline Hire, an experienced chef and former editor of the BBC Good Food website.
Staff complete the core training for the HENRY programme, which has the strongest evidence base of any national healthy start initiative.
97%
Agree that:
"Kitchen Club has helped me to eat more fruit and veg each week."
98%
Agree that:
"Kitchen Club has helped my child to eat more fruit and veg each week"
99%
Agree that:
"Kitchen Club has introduced me to new healthy recipes or ingredients"
Home Learning Environment
The Home Learning Environment
We help parents build the knowledge and skills needed to give their children the best start possible. We use simple, clear messaging from the national ‘Chat, Read, Play’ campaign, and sessions are designed to be fun and easy to join in with. Regular activities include crafting, story time, treasure hunts, action songs, Yoga and Zumba.
We provide:
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Family activities designed to support development and strengthen relationships
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Evidence-based, accessible information and resources
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Access to online parenting courses
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Family Support Workers from local children’s centres
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Advice and support on child development and parenting
Staff complete the core practitioner training from the Solihull Approach, widely used across the NHS to support vulnerable families.
93%
Agree that:
"Kitchen Club has given me new ideas for play and learning activities."
98%
Agree that:
"Kitchen Club has helped me to share positive experiences with my child"
Mental Wellbeing
Wellbeing
We design sessions around protective factors for wellbeing, including:
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Social connection
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Making a valued contribution
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Sense of belonging
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Learning new skills
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Arts and creativity
Delivery staff receive training on trauma-informed practice to ensure that we provide a safe space for parents who have had complex and difficult experiences.
96%
Agree that:
"Coming to Kitchen Club has been good for my sense of wellbeing."
Social Connection
Social Connection
We support families to make friendships and build networks of informal support. Essential for resilience and wellbeing, social connection can also bring a range of other benefits, including informal childcare, peer support, and access to further opportunities.
Sessions are designed to bring people together through
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Conversation
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Creativity
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Play
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Laughter and fun
A key priority is to make sure that parents who are anxious or have difficulty engaging in group activities are made to feel welcome and supported.
94%
Agree that:
"Kitchen Club has helped me to connect with other local parents."
Access To Further Support
Access To Further Support
When parents’ sign-up we ask them to tell us about what kinds of additional support they need, before offering a 1:1 follow-up conversation in their next session.
We signpost and refer-in to 35+ local organisations, including
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Housing advice
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Activities and support for parents and children
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Support for migrant families
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Help with the cost of living
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Support with mental health
We have strong relationships with local organisations, and often have professionals from other services visit sessions to build trust in a neutral environment.
94%
Agree that:
"‘Kitchen Club has helped me find out about other services and opportunities."
Kitchen Club Family Stories
“Kitchen Club came to visit the hostel and dropped some leaflets in. It looked like something I would enjoy so I came. I love cooking but I cook with a lot of meat. I’m really looking forward to eating more vegetarian recipes.
They are so many things I have learned. Even things that are not related to cooking. We talk so much which is so good. I have learnt that I don't need to worry so much about my daughter's eating. I am have learnt to be more relaxed about food.
My child joined the nursery after coming to Kitchen Club. It meant that she was familiar with the building when she started. She has also benefited by trying different types of food. It is good that she can cut and see the food being prepared. She now eats a more varied diet because of Kitchen Club.
I’m definitely a fan of the bread. I have been able to follow and make it at home. I enjoy learning vegetarian recipes.
I enjoy that the kids are free to play, read and play games which is nice. I have made a lot of new friends. I now have friends who I can call on.
Kitchen Club has been big part of our lives. It helped me to get involved in the wider community. I think it gave me confidence. I also found out from local parents about stuff going on. I’m hoping to volunteer with Kitchen Club and I am working towards my qualification to work in schools. I also want to grow me and my daughter's social network.”
“I was in the hostel with my young son. I was quite scared to socialise. I first came to Kitchen Club because they visited the hostel a few times. Someone came to the door with a leaflet. I was rude the first time as I didn't expect it. My support worker contacted Kitchen Club and they met me and walked me round for my first time. I like that there is space to play for my son. I also like that it is a supportive and nurturing environment. My child also likes the books.
I have suffered with mental health problems. I have extreme anxiety. Kitchen Club was the only thing that I took my son to. My son was quite shy when he first started coming. It was just me and him in one room. Kitchen Club helped him to learn to socialise. He is dairy intolerant so they adapted the food for him. I also got my fix of dairy! It obviously helps that getting a cooked meals as I don't like cooking in the hostel. I enjoy making bread. Lots of the meals that I knew how to cook were African but now I have lots of recipes from all round the world.
I like that there is always tea and coffee so we can chat with other mums. I was able to connect with the ladies in the hostel. I was shy at the beginning but it helped me make friends. I use to keep myself away from people. I have been sent to the pram depot to get things for my new baby. I was able to get bereavement counselling because they found the service for me. And I’ve also been to other events at the Round Chapel.”
“I was told about kitchen Club through my Family Support Worker. I like the idea of a relaxed space for my son to play and enjoy food.
I have an eating disorder. I am so conscious of not passing that on to my son. I’m not really relaxed about food. I want to learn how to be! Kitchen Club has helped me learn about portions sizes for children. It had definitely made me more relaxed around eating.
I enjoy the variety of the food. I didn't know you could do so much with just vegetarian recipes. It has definitely taught me what to do with lentils. I eat things at Kitchen Club that I didn't think I liked. I have learnt lots of new recipes and how to cook rice properly which is a revelation!
I like that there will always be the reading corner out. He has friends to play with each week. He looks forward to it. He also has formed close bonds with the kids. It is such a nice atmosphere. I like that there is a variety of things to do, and I like that we are encouraged to do the activities that go on in the building.
I have a few mums that I meet up with and go to the park with. A lot of the mums at kitchen Club have had some similar experiences to me. We have bonded over that. It is nice to have people to talk with about stuff. We definitely have interesting conversations over the lunch table!”
