Local charity The Friendly Food Club are using a simple IKEA kitchen knife to help revolutionise food preparation and cooking for those with visual impairments.
The charity has been working in partnership with Dorset Blind Association to develop accessible cooking workshops for people with sight loss. Sessions provided a safe, supportive environment in which the team were able to help people enjoy cooking, some for the first time in a long time.
It also enabled tutors to learn more about the very real challenges and risks that can occur. Course tutor Andria explained: “Many of us take cooking for granted. But for a blind or partially sighted person, cooking can present all manner of challenges – and even dangers.”
“Cooking can be dangerous for me. I actually set my hair alight trying to see what setting my gas hob was on.” – Carole, course participant.
Simple, practical adjustments such as providing large print recipes on coloured paper, pre-chopped vegetables and hand washing bowls ready to hand meant the cooking process was much safer and enjoyable.
The one truly revolutionary piece of kit was a simple but highly effective IKEA knife set. The SMÅBIT knife set costs less than £10 and comes with rounded tips and added protection to prevent fingers from going under the blade during use. Each participant was given a knife to take home.
However, for many nothing replaces the confidence of cooking together in person – Jeff explained: “I am blind and enjoy cooking. Technology like rice cookers and air fryers have helped make things easier, but it’s great to have the ladies here and follow a recipe with their help. I made the chickpea curry with them last week and it was delicious!”
As well as being immense fun cooking together, the course has enabled course tutors to learn how to effectively make simple changes to ensure the cooking experience is much safer for future workshops.
“The feedback from the group has been hugely encouraging and we would love the chance to deliver this course for many more people living with sight loss across Dorset.” – Andria, Course Tutor.
We would love to be able to offer more accessible cooking sessions in partnership with Dorset Blind Association. If you would like to partner with us by funding further sessions across Dorset, we would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with Liz Guilmant-Cush, CEO by emailing liz@thefriendlyfoodclub.org