Our Multiply Cooking with Numeracy Skills course encourages the development of numeracy skills through a practical, cooking based workshop using active learning techniques. Whilst this programme would focus on numeracy skills, there will also be development of additional skills such as communication, problem solving, team work, literacy and confidence. The participants will gain the practical skills to make a meal, be given the knowledge to be able to cook more healthily (eat a balanced diet) and be shown how to make a meal on a budget. Participants will also learn about food hygiene and the importance of cleanliness and this can also help develop organisational skills. Participants will be working within a commercial/training kitchen, using food preparation techniques and cookery processes in the preparation of dishes. All cookery activities, involve, planning of the dish, portion control, measuring out quantities of ingredients to be used within the dish. They would use kitchen equipment such as weighing scales which would include learning both imperial and metric measurements, learn basic maths vocabulary such as units of measurements for both solids and liquids. They would also learn to read a recipe, and the importance of timing to cook the food. When preparing and cooking food, being able to add and subtract, make comparisons, estimating, following instructions are essential and an excellent way of developing numeracy skills. Each week, participants will learn new dishes. This would be achieved by creating low-cost recipes, creating a balanced and varied weekly budgeted menu.
The cookery course enables participants to participate in engaging with others, improving their numeracy, problem solving and teamworking skills allowing them to use these skills at home, in the wider community as a volunteer and, for some participants, in employment. The programme is delivered by an industry experience trainer who has extensive experience in working with adults with a learning disability and/or autism. No previous experience is required to attend this 0.5 day per week programme which lasts for 12 weeks. We will provide all equipment and food.