We understand the important role that food and a balanced diet play in a child’s mental, emotional and physical wellbeing, particularly for those in care, for whom food can bring many challenges and obstacles.

Within our homes, we always strive to involve our children and young people when it comes to menu plans, meal prepping, cooking skills and more: in doing so, we can help foster healthy relationships with food and support with independent skills for the future. From doing the weekly shop, to setting the table, taste-testing new foods to hosting bake-offs, sharing family meals together to dinners out at favourite restaurants, food plays such a vital role in creating stable, supportive and happy home environments.

Recently, Home L spent time creating smoothie recipes, experimenting with taste, texture and colour combinations. They managed to pack in their five-a-day, with carrots, cucumbers, kiwis, kale juice, berries and more. And the results… “Actually quite nice!”

Creating opportunities to play and experiment with food has huge benefits for our children and young people; smoothie making, for example, encourages positive curiosity around trying new foods, food dislikes and following recipes (or coming up with our own), and is a wonderful activity in which everyone can get involved!