A NEW cookery course has been launched by an Exminster-based charity.

Westbank Community Health and Care’s six week course for would-be cooks is being taught at the charity’s bespoke teaching kitchen.

The first Learn to Cook course for beginners started at the end of June, and a second one will begin on Monday, 17 August.

The courses are friendly, supportive workshops for people with little or no cooking experience. Participants will learn to prepare simple homemade meals with practical support throughout.

Each week includes demonstrations, guided practice and tasting opportunities. All ingredients are provided.

Alongside these foundation courses, a new programme of hands-on themed cookery classes will be running for adults and families keen to pursue their culinary interests.

Every booking helps fund Westbank's charitable work, supporting community cooking sessions and wellbeing programmes across Devon, helping to create opportunities to learn, connect and thrive through food.

Classes include gluten-free baking, Italian bread making and anit-inflamatory cooking.

Dedicated neurodivergent-friendly sessions, designed to provide a calmer, more relaxed learning environment are also available, with additional individual support where needed.

Katie Elliott, Westbank’s Head of Fundraising and Marketing, said: ‘The Community Cookery School at Westbank has now been active for almost three years and, in that time, we have supported almost a thousand attendances across a dozen courses and welcomed people of all generations, many of whom are families with young children, those experiencing cost of living challenges, loneliness and isolation, and those with caring responsibilities.

‘Courses have been led by our qualified nutritionist and supported by a team of dedicated volunteers.’

Westbank’s weekly ‘Cook and Lunch’ sessions on Wednesdays continue to bring people from different backgrounds together, offering participants the chance to cook up a delicious lunch and share a communal meal in the charity’s Community Hub. Any surplus food can be taken home to be enjoyed with other family members.

Go to www.westbank.org.uk/community-cookery-school for more info and to book places.