Adult Carers Get Fired Up with Creative Cookery Project

Adult carers from Downpatrick, Rowallane and Slieve Croob District Electoral Areas (DEA’s) have been treated to a series of creative cookery sessions hosted by Chef David Lee Surginor of Fired in Killough.

The DEA’s have organised a number of creative sessions for adult carers since 2021 in partnership with South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (SEHSCT).  They were originally designed to help reduce isolation after the COVID-19 pandemic when many adult carers still had vulnerable family members who were required to shield.  At that time the sessions provided the carers with some much needed respite away from their caring role and a place to meet with like-minded people.

Since then, the DEAs and SEHSCT have recognised that there is still a need for adult carers to take more time away from the person they support for their own wellbeing and these creative sessions have started to become an annual highlight within the caring community.

This year participants were given the unique opportunity to learn about the art of Asian cookery over a number of sessions with chef, David Lee Surginor.  On the final day on Tuesday 21 March, the participants prepared a celebratory Thai green curry and enjoyed the fruits of their labour for lunch.

Speaking about the importance of projects such as this, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Michael Savage said, “Creative sessions such as these are not just about providing the participants with an opportunity to learn something new.  More importantly they are designed to help reduce isolation and create a safe environment where adult carers can relax and share their experiences with others who are in the same circumstances.

“I would like to thank everyone involved for organising and facilitating these sessions, which reduce social isolation, contribute to improving people’s general health and wellbeing and are clearly needed and enjoyed by those who took part.”