Royal appointment for award-winning programme

Foundation of Light's Ministry of Food Family Learning programme was given the royal seal of approval at Festival of Learning's 25th Anniversary last week.

Director of Quality and Curriculum Matt Hill and Family Learning Specialist John Newton were invited to the glittering event at City Lit in London which showcased inspiring stories of the Festival of Learning and Adult Learners’ Week award winners.

The celebrations featured several key speakers including HRH The Princess Royal, who spoke to Matt and John about the Jamie Oliver-backed programme's success in the North East which inspires families to cook together and learn the importance of eating healthy, nutritious meals.

It was an absolute privilege to meet Princess Anne at Festival of Learning's 25th Anniversary. She was very interested in the programme's success, the impact the courses have on the families and how it increases their confidence and aspirations. We spoke at length of how the Foundation uses the power of the football and sport to engage with local communities and the amazing impact the Beacon of Light will have on generations to come in the North East which really impressed her.

Matt Hill, Foundation of Light's Director of Quality and Curriculum<

The Foundation's innovative Ministry of Food programme was named the Northern England Project of the Year at the Festival of Learning Awards in 2016.

The 10-week course allows both children and adults to practice their culinary skills, understand how to adapt recipes and to build an individual's confidence to cook for themselves and their families.

Foundation of Light has delivered over 20 courses in schools – both primary and secondary – community rooms and children centres, reaching over 120 families, with participants ranging from four to 76 years old.

An astonishing 100% of people who started the course complete with 99% improving their health and wellbeing and 98% increasing their motivation to cook from scratch.

As Patron of the Learning and Work Institute, HRH The Princess Royal, said: ʺIt is never too late or too early to start learning.

"Adult learning plays a really vital role in society; it’s good for people, it’s good for your health and self-esteem. None of those will be the same for individuals. There will always be different reasons for doing it, but I think [that] health and self-esteem is probably common to most people who take part in that learning process."