Bowman Shared Lunch Group

Following on from taster sessions run by Eatsome, Mark Featherston a ward based Occupational Therapist at Bowman Low Secured ward in Bodmin Hospital has continued to offer patients the opportunity to join in with preparation of a shared lunch every Wednesday.

Everyone is encouraged to participate in some way towards the overall task with the ward OT coordinating/organising the lunchtime session.  The cost of purchasing ingredients is met partly from the ward budget but is subsidised by a £1.50 contribution from each participant and they are able to supply some of the seasonal ingredients from the ward vegetable garden.  They aim to make a healthy, tasty meal to share together.  The emphasis is as much on the social aspect of sharing a task together as it is on developing cooking, budgeting and food health promotion skills.

Patients on the low secure ward together with staff working on the unit prepare a weekly shared meal together.  The constituent tasks are divided amongst the participants so that all can contribute. Mark says the best part of the project is sharing together, a social occasion, and using home grown ingredients from our garden – while the hardest thing is keeping the momentum going and coming up with fresh ideas and recipes which have sufficient appeal to the majority.  However, encouraging healthy eating and social skills have been greatly beneficial.

If you would like more information on the shared lunch group in Bodmin please contact Mark Featherston, OT, Bowman Ward. 01208 251439