The Gateway

🍳 Cooking Confidence at Gateway – Thanks to the Citizen Local Fund

Thanks to support from the Citizen Local Fund, a new cooking project at Gateway is helping people who’ve experienced homelessness learn how to make simple, healthy meals using just a few ingredients and basic equipment.

The aim is to build confidence, support independence, and help people feel more ready to manage a home and tenancy. So far, 13 residents have taken part—and the results have been amazing!

👥 Community Support

Local groups like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Jubilee Crescent Community Centre, and Sewa Day Coventry have donated food, clothes, books, and ingredients. Citizen colleagues have also helped by donating supplies.

💬 What Residents Say

“The Gateway cooking group has opened doors for me to experiment with new cooking ideas. I cook more often and the meals taste great.”

“This course empowers individuals by giving them practical skills, making the most of limited ingredients, turning pantry staples into nutritious meals.”

“These sessions have sparked my creativity and confidence in the kitchen. They’ve also promoted healthy eating rather than relying on processed food.”

“We learn together as a group in a supportive environment. It builds a sense of community where we can share ideas and learn from a skilled cook.”

“These sessions help us avoid food waste, improve food hygiene, and have a lasting impact on wellbeing—all while learning to make healthy, affordable meals.”

“I wasn’t able to attend the session, but I used the recipe and easy steps to make a healthy meal for my family. It was delicious!”

🌱 Looking Ahead We hope this project continues to grow, helping more people learn cooking skills, food hygiene, and how to make tasty meals with minimal ingredients.

💷 How the Fund Helped The Citizen Local Fund made it possible to buy the equipment and ingredients needed for the sessions. With support from Gateway staff, managing the funding has been smooth.