Residents learn to cook and enjoy healthy meals at community centre

A charity that supports wellbeing through dining and volunteering is providing twice-monthly meals and running healthy eating on a budget (HEB) courses to local residents at the Fitzrovia Community Centre.

FEAST has run its course eight times since starting at Foley Street and is about to take on its ninth cohort. Classes take place weekly for six weeks and involve learning about the different food groups, nutrition theory and practice, and how to plan meals within a budget.

During the second half of each class, students usually cook, bake, then eat together — enjoying a free meal, having learnt valuable kitchen skills.

At the end of the course there is a test, and upon successful completion, participants receive a Food Safety Level 2 Certificate.

Sandra Jacome, nutritionist and instructor with FEAST, takes pride and enjoyment from delivering the course.

“This programme represents an opportunity for me to support participants in the most meaningful and compassionate way, by truly understanding their needs and the barriers they face,” she tells me.

Teaching the courses gives her satisfaction from watching participants overcome obstacles and achieve their goals, sometimes with tears of pride as they receive their certificates.

“This experience touches me both personally and professionally, and it inspires me to continue expanding the impact of the HEB programme to even more groups,” she says.

For anyone who is uncertain about whether this course is for them, Sandra tells me the classes offer a safe, supportive, and welcoming space where you can learn with others.

“You’ll have the chance to learn at your own pace, develop cooking and nutrition skills, and build meaningful connections with others.’’

Originally set up in 2015 to feed the homeless at a hostel in Kilburn, FEAST registered as a charity in 2017 and now provides classes and meals at many sites across London. Every year they serve up around 23,000 meals and have over 400 volunteers taking part.

Classess and community meals are provided for free. The charity is always looking for new volunteers and donations and corporate support. Find out more from their website.

FEAST at Fitzrovia Community Centre, 2 Foley Street, London W1W 6DL. The next community meal is at 7pm on 17 December 2025. Healthy Eating on a Budget six-week course runs from 10am to 2pm once a week and will start again on 24 February 2026. To book, call 020 7580 8680 or email info@fitzroviacommunitycentre.org for more information. Please note that places are limited and priority is given to Westminster residents.

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