Rebuilding Together: Cooking and Connection

The Darebin community, in particular Arabic-speaking residents, dealt with higher levels of food insecurity or hunger and social exclusion throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic. You Community Health (YCH) saw first-hand the impact this had on health and wellbeing in the community.

To create a positive and safe space where Arabic-speaking community members could connect over a good meal, YCH launched The Rebuilding Together project. Participating community members were supported through the delivery of fresh food boxes and nutrition and cooking workshops to help them prepare healthy and delicious meals. Health professionals and community and multicultural services also attended these sessions, offering support and advice on a range of health and wellbeing concerns.

Over the course of the project, YCH:

• Helped 120 older Arabic-speaking community members connect with each other, making new friendships and broadening their local community.
• Provided weekly food relief to 1,700 people in 513 families experiencing food insecurity through the delivery of fresh produce boxes.
• Provided culturally appropriate and healthy meal plans and recipes to all participants.

The project ended with a wonderful cultural celebration, giving attendees a chance to share their heritage with each other. Much conversation and laughter was shared as attendees enjoyed traditional food, music, dance and traditional clothing or costumes.

Website: Your Community Health

This is an edited extract from Your Community Health Autumn 2023 eNews.