Cookery and Picnic

What a session! Our young people smashed it this week, transforming into superstar chefs before our eyes—and we couldn’t be prouder.

There was a real buzz in the air from the moment the session started. With sleeves rolled up and eyes gleaming with excitement, they got straight into the action, fully focused, brimming with creativity, and ready to make their own breadsticks and hummus entirely from scratch.

And we mean really from scratch. No shortcuts here. They mixed, mashed, stirred, chopped, and blended with total commitment and flair. There were dough masterpieces of all shapes and sizes—some neat and uniform, others delightfully wonky and wild—all rolled out with care and pride. They sliced up colourful veggie sticks like pros, added seasonings with confidence, and even conquered the hand blender (which, let’s face it, can be intimidating even for adults!).

But it wasn’t just about cooking—it was about ownership. Once their creations were ready, they didn’t just tuck in. They arranged them on plates like professional caterers, laid out picnic mats, and created a warm, shared space where everyone could sit together, enjoy the food, and take a moment to be together. There was laughter, storytelling, proud grins, and compliments about whose hummus was the smoothest or whose breadstick shape was the most “creative” (we’ll let you decide what counts as creative!).

We made sure the recipe was dairy—and gluten-free so everyone could get involved. While a few pre-prepped ingredients and helping hands were available, the session belonged entirely to the young people. They took charge of their culinary adventures with confidence, teamwork, and independence, which genuinely amazed us.

One young member, who had previously found it tricky to stay engaged for long, was so immersed and focused that she asked her mum to leave. Mum went to the shops while her daughter finished the task like a total pro. Another member enjoyed the experience so much that after finishing his meal, he immediately made sandwiches for the rest of the group. Now that’s dedication—and such a generous spirit.

Although we’d originally planned a trip to the park, the weather had other ideas—wet ground and high winds meant a change of plan. But honestly? We didn’t even miss it. The energy in the room was fantastic. Apart from a short burst of games at the start (as always, the young people get to choose their activities), everyone was too engaged in the kitchen to even think about going outside.

Of course, there was still time for some classic group fun. A spontaneous and hilarious round of beanbag football broke out across the tables—goals were scored by flinging beanbags to teammates, with points awarded if the other person failed to catch it. Simple, chaotic, and brilliant.

As they gathered for their picnic, it became clear that this wasn’t just a fun food session but a real moment of connection. The group took their time eating, chatting, and enjoying being together in a space where they felt confident, safe, and free to express themselves.

By the end of the session, they had showcased many vital life skills: independence, teamwork, creativity, trying new foods, sharing, problem-solving, and even tidying up (without being asked!). Some parents were stunned to hear what their young person had eaten or achieved—things they might not have tried or done anywhere else. It’s a testament to how powerful a nurturing, inclusive environment can be.

We can’t wait to see what they get up to next week, but is this one? This one was a total triumph.

Our young people come to Youth Clubs in Weston-super-Mare, Bristol and Sherbone why not come along – Youth Clubs