For many people, cooking for one after the loss of a loved one can feel like an overwhelming task. Meals that were once shared together can become a painful reminder of someone who is no longer there, and the motivation to cook, or even leave the house can be difficult to find.
That’s why Pendleside Hospice runs its Bereavement Cookery Club, a six-week programme designed to bring people together who have experienced a loss.
The latest Bereavement Cookery Club began in mid-January and has recently come to a close. The sessions provide a welcoming, supportive space where participants can learn simple, home-cooked recipes while also forming new friendships with others who understand what they are going through.
Led by Catering and Domestic Services Manager Mark Scott, the course focuses on building confidence in the kitchen while creating comforting, traditional dishes. The group is kept intentionally small, with just six participants, ensuring everyone receives the time, guidance and support they need to learn new skills at their own pace.
Over the six weeks, participants learn a variety of recipes and cooking techniques, from homemade Yorkshire puddings and freshly baked bread to hearty meals and sweet treats. But the club is about far more than just cooking.
Each week, the group gathers in Pendleside’s kitchen not only to prepare food, but also to talk, laugh and support one another in a relaxed and welcoming environment. For many participants, it becomes an important opportunity to reconnect socially, rebuild confidence and rediscover the enjoyment of cooking again.
The course begins with the basics. In the first week, participants meet each other for the first time and learn about kitchen hygiene before making homemade Yorkshire puddings from scratch.
As the weeks progress, the recipes become more adventurous, including bread making, soups, fish with triple-cooked chips and desserts such as sticky toffee pudding
One of the sessions saw the group cooking takeaway favourites, including sweet and sour chicken and attempting to recreate the famous “secret” blend of herbs and spices used in fried chicken.
The final week brought the course to a close with two comforting classics, roast vegetable lasagne and shepherd’s pie. A fitting end to a programme focused on hearty, home-cooked food.
For those who take part, the experience often becomes a highlight of the week.
The social aspect of the club is a key part of its success. Losing someone close can often leave people feeling isolated, and activities like this provide a gentle way to reconnect with others in a supportive environment.
Mark Scott, who leads the sessions, says seeing the participants grow in confidence over the six weeks is incredibly rewarding.
He added: “The cookery club is about much more than teaching recipes. For many people, cooking can feel daunting after a bereavement, especially if they’re suddenly cooking just for themselves.
“What we try to do is create a relaxed, friendly environment where people can learn simple dishes, share experiences and enjoy being together. Watching the group build friendships and confidence week by week is really special.”
The impact of the club is clear in the atmosphere around the kitchen table each week. What starts as a group of strangers often ends as a supportive community, brought together by shared experiences and a love of good food.
As this latest course comes to an end, staff at Pendleside say it is always a bittersweet moment. While they are proud of everything the group has achieved, saying goodbye after six weeks together can be difficult.
However, the memories, friendships and skills gained often continue long after the final session.
If you would like to take part in the next Bereavement Cookery Club, please email Mark Scott at [email protected] with some basic details about yourself and why you would like to join the course.