The Problem:

The South of Wales has one of the highest rates of death from cardiovascular disease in the UK. Cornelly Development Trust conducted a survey of local residents and identified that the cost-of-living crisis has exacerbated unhealthy eating habits, increased smoking and alcohol consumption, and raised peoples’ general stress levels, all of which increase the risk of heart diseases.

The Project:

Participants in this project will get to take part in cooking workshops, where aside from cooking from scratch they will also learn about healthy swaps and cooking on a budget. The group will also have access to an outdoor space where they will build an allotment and plant vegetables. These will be used in the cooking workshops and used for the wider benefit of the community. There will also be general health workshops on topics like smoking cessation and physical activity.

The Benefits:

Regular physical activity reduces your risk of heart diseases and gardening is a great, accessible option for individuals who are otherwise inactive. In addition, spending time in nature and gardening can positively impact on stress levels. Participants will be supported to increase their physical activity levels over the course of the project, improving their cardiovascular fitness. Eating a healthy diet can drastically reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and educating participants to be able to shop on a budget and cook heart-healthy, delicious meals will equip them with the knowledge to reduce their risk of heart diseases by adapting their diet at home.