On a visit to Whitecross Community Centre, Warrington South MP Andy Carter met with members of Creating Adventures, a group running free activities for adults with autism and learning disabilities. The group were taking part in a cookery session ahead of their party to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The MP had been invited along by Barbara Freeman, the founder of Fresh Beginnings, which runs sessions and classes to help people develop new skills in the kitchen and teaches how to cook healthy, nutritious meals on a budget. Barbara had previously met with Andy Carter to discuss her latest recipe book, ‘You Can Cook’, aimed at helping new starters in the kitchen, students or people wanting to save time and money with preparing their meals.
Andy Carter was introduced to Jenny Allcock, who founded Creating Adventures back in 2016, and also chatted with many of the group’s members and their families attending the day’s activities. Creating Adventures was set up by Jenny to provide adults with autism and learning difficulties a safe space and fun activities to help develop friendships, communication and life skills, and to discover their inner talents. As well as cookery sessions, the group also offers a choir, an art club, a disco, Zumba classes and much more.
Speaking after the visit, Andy Carter MP said: “It’s been absolutely brilliant to come down to the Community Centre today and join in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Hats off to Barbara and Jenny for organising a really great party, as well as all the members of Creating Adventures for getting stuck in with preparing a delicious set of food. The cake was especially impressive!
“I’ve had the chance to chat with loads of people here about their favourite meals to cook and what other fun activities they get up to as part of Creating Adventures. This Warrington based charity has been up and running six years now, they do amazing work to help adults with autism and learning disabilities enjoy the basics of life most of us take for granted.
“I know that Creating Adventures are currently working towards a community centre which would not only allow them to run an even wider range of activities, but also better cater to their members’ needs and wellbeing. I hope this is something we can help make a reality in the very near future.”
You can learn more about Creating Adventures (https://www.creatingadventures.org.uk/) and Fresh Beginnings (https://www.fresh-beginnings.co.uk/) here.
