Cooking Up

Cooking Up is a charity dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of people facing challenging circumstances in the London Borough of Richmond and neighbouring areas. We empower individuals and families to cook healthy, tasty meals for themselves through hands-on group cookery lessons.

What we offer:

• Group cookery sessions for 6–10 people, each preparing a meal for four to take home.
• Support from trained, friendly volunteers throughout the session.
• All meals are cooked on the hob to help save energy costs.
• We aim for all ingredients to cost under £1.50 per head, making healthy eating affordable.
• Our fully mobile kitchen allows us to deliver sessions across Richmond upon Thames, including Ham, Hampton, Twickenham, and Whitton.
• We work with a range of local partners, including Crossroads Care, Ham Youth Centre, Ham Children's Centre, Inspired Hub, Multicultural Richmond, Richmond Aid, Richmond Carers, Skylarks, United Response, and Whitton Community Centre.

Why choose Cooking Up?

• Learn practical cooking skills in a supportive, inclusive environment.
• Take home nutritious meals for your family.
• Connect with others in your community and build confidence in the kitchen.
• Sessions are designed to be fun, inspiring, and accessible to all.

Our impact: Participants consistently report increased confidence, enjoyment, and inspiration from our sessions. Our volunteers are passionate about making a difference and creating a welcoming atmosphere for everyone.

Interested in joining or partnering with us? Contact us to learn more, book a session, or explore volunteering opportunities.