A group of young mums participating in a Southern Health and Social Care Trust programme have published their own ‘Let’s Cook Book’.
The Ladybird Forum has been running for two years now, it follows on from an initial eight week Ladybird group work programme that aims to improve the participants confidence and build their self-esteem, both as young women and as parents.
Within the Forum many areas are covered including safety in the home, basic first aid, relationships, and mental health and wellbeing.
Within the programme the Trust continually looks at unique and beneficial projects and challenges that will help build new skills and increase the confidence of the young mums.
The most recent challenge has been in putting together and publishing an attractive and creative cook book that could be used not just by these young people but potentially by care teams across the Trust. The book provides helpful cooking tips and full step by step guides to cooking simple low cost dishes and snacks.
Back row: Imelda Fearon, Senior Social Work Practitioner; Aveen Rafferty, Social Work Student; Naomi Connelly and Shannon Henderson. Front row: Lauren Cartmill; Sara Park; Shannon Miller; Zoey Flynn; Aideen Boyle and Sarah Girvan, Social Work Students.
Imelda Fearon, a Senior Social Work Practitioner within the Southern Trust, co-ordinated the Ladybird programmes, she commented: “It has been a great experience working with these young people. Initially when the girls came to the Ladybird group they were in doubt as to what its relevance would be to them and their situations as young mums.
“Within a few weeks it was clear the girls were enjoying and benefiting from the opportunity to have time out and be with others in a similar situation to themselves.
“Each of them helped identify a range of topics and issues they felt would be beneficial to address or learn more about, which shows they were all fully committed and keen to avail of services that in their view can make a difference.
I would like to thank the social work students – Aveen Rafferty and Aideen Boyle – both assisted in many ways with the delivery of the programme, and also Sarah Girvan who was heavily involved with the production of our ‘Let’s Cook Book’.
“Given the right support and opportunity it is evident that each of these young mums has great potential. I have no doubt that these girls will continue to do a great job as young women and as parents, and remain a credit to themselves.”
