May 2013
This has certainly been an eventful month for VfL. Amanda and Tina attended a Care Quality Commission Roadshow in Manchester on 9th May where they were able to speak to a couple of Diversity Managers about the need for adequate and varied vegetarian catering for residents. Next stop, slightly further south, was the Care Roadshow in Liverpool on the 14th. As ever this was a well attended event at Aintree Racecourse. At this roadshow VfL had sponsored the Cordon Vert Cookery School to give short cookery demonstrations, which proved a great attraction to the delegates attending the event.
On the 22nd, Amanda accompanied Cordon Vert Cookery School to deliver one of our caterer training courses at an MHA care home in London. Twelve MHA caterers attended the training, which covered what vegetarians and vegans do and don't eat, the relevant nutrition, and how to adapt recipes easily.
During the May bank holiday VfL had a stand for two days at the very lively Bristol VegFest. This event combines music with hundreds of information and food stalls all related to a vegetarian/vegan diet. It attracted around 8000 participants all enjoying the sunshine, which obviously was shining on the righteous that weekend! Our new Cooking on a Budget booklet proved particularly popular and is now available in print or download. Please email admin@vegetarianforlife.org.uk if you would like a printed copy or go to the publications section of the website to download one.
This month we would like to welcome new member Stocks Hall Care Home in Skelmersdale who joined us at the Care Roadshow.
April 2013
We attended: a ‘third-sector’ event in Dumfries, the Care Roadshow in Bradford and the British Care Show in Salford. Both the care events were well attended and gave Tina the opportunity to spread the word about how VfL supports the care-sector. In Salford, we were pleased to meet local celebrity, Julie Hesmondhalgh, from Coronation Street. Julie’s a vegetarian and was very interested in our work.
Welcome to new members of the VfL-UK List:
- two recruited at the April events – Care Instead, Bury (Home Care agency that prepares meals) and BUPA care home, the Burrins, West Yorkshire.
- four new MHA members – three care homes and a sheltered scheme all based at Auchlochan retirement village in Lanarkshire. The MHA group plans to host another of our catering courses in September – a benefit we can provide to all our members.
Amanda has started working with another MHA member – in Bowdon (Altrincham) – on a new community garden. This project is in partnership with Didsbury Dinners.
Our biggest news: publication of Cooking on a Budget – a 32 page booklet with recipes and lots of good advice on saving money and energy. It officially launches in National Vegetarian Week in May, but preview copies have been sent to all VfL-UK List members. If you would like a copy please email admin@vegetarianforlife.org.uk