Ministry of Food has the recipe for independence (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Ministry of Food has the recipe for independence

8:53am Tuesday 14th June 2011 in Health News By Sally Clifford

Five years ago, John Fletcher’s life changed forever.

“I collapsed in Keighley and I ended up being in a coma for several weeks. When I came round from that, I found I was paralysed down my left-hand side and I realised the problems I had at that stage,” he says.

Every year an estimated 150,000 people suffer from a stroke in the UK. A stroke is a brain attack which occurs because of a clot or a bleed in the brain, causing brain cells to die.

Each year, one person has a stroke every five minutes in the UK. It accounts for around 53,000 deaths each year in the UK and is the third-most common cause of death in England and Wales after heart disease and cancer. At least 450,000 people are severely disabled as a result of stroke in England.

A stroke can strike at any time, and it can affect anybody at any age. John has learned to live within his capabilities. For many survivors, it’s about adapting their life to their new circumstances.

Cooking was something that John, 67, had always enjoyed. His profession brought him into contact with food; he was chief executive of Asda during the 1980s, and, other than running a stationery shop in his home town of Keighley, he has worked promoting and marketing fresh food through an organisation called Food From Britain, and served on the board of the Covent Garden marketing authority which runs the famous Covent Garden market.

Following his stroke, John found that cooking and other practical tasks he had been able to do had become a concern. His condition tests him physically and mentally, as well as challenging his dexterity.

John was a traditional cook and particularly enjoyed cooking healthy soups. Participating in a ten-week course at Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food in Bradford increased his confidence to return to the favourite meals he enjoyed creating before his stroke.

“Firstly, I developed and was able to pick up on some basic skills and bring them up to scratch; secondly, it got me thinking in terms of healthy food and things I can do. I was able to go back to things I had done before like making Yorkshire puddings. You have the confidence when you can do these things,” says John.

He and fellow stroke victims Rachel Charlton, Maxine Gabbitas and Bobby Wood embarked on the course through The Stroke Association Bradford’s Back To Life Service, funded by Bradford Council.

Rachel was 34 when she suffered a stroke eight years ago. One of the challenges for her was being unable to use her cooker. She also lost the confidence in cooking and resorted to either making meals in her slow cooker or using her microwave.

Through the course she has increased her confidence in the kitchen and has now started experimenting with meals. “Since the course, I am trying to eat much more healthily. I made a shepherd’s pie, but instead of using potato, I used sweet potatoes and apple,” she says, proudly.

Maxine, 53, from Keighley, had a stroke in 1992, leaving her with mobility problems which resulted in her gaining weight. She wanted to learn to cook healthier meals, and says: “I have to manage on a budget; the meals were healthy and economical. I now have some tasty, healthy recipes.”

Bobby, 52, from Bradford, experienced taste changes following her stroke last year. She says: “After my stroke, many foods tasted bland and eating became a chore rather than a pleasure. Now my taste is returning, I want to try new textures and flavours – this group gave me that opportunity.

“My husband says I’m back to my best after I presented him with toad-in-the-hole made at the group!”

Rosalie Jozefek, a Back to Life co-ordinator for The Stroke Association, who helped to arrange the cookery courses, says: “The course has given everyone a real boost in terms of confidence and knowledge, for both cooking novices and those who have cooked for years. Everyone took something positive away.

“We learned from the Ministry of Food and they learned about the obstacles stroke survivors have to overcome in the kitchen. Disability Equipment Bradford kindly loaned a variety of adapted utensils for us to try. It was a win-win situation for all concerned.

“According to Jamie Oliver, as a nation we eat 50 per cent of all the ready meals in Europe, so if more people cook healthier meals and have better diets, the number of strokes could be reduced. For example, if everyone ate their five fruit and veg a day, a quarter of strokes could be prevented.”

Rosalie’s father died of a stroke, so for her helping stroke survivors get back to life isn’t just a profession. It’s her passion.

She fights back tears when she talks about how inspiring it is to work with stroke survivors. “They are so resilient and the will of them is unbelievable. I am very humbled to work with stroke survivors because they are amazing.”

One of three Bradford Ministry of Food cookery tutors, Lisa McLoughlin, says: “During our sessions we have cooked our way around the world – with curry, stir-fry, pasta and Moroccan dishes. These five stroke survivors have overcome their physical limitations and challenged themselves in the most inspiring way to relearn kitchen skills.

“Even cracking eggs has proven to be a major milestone for some, but they all seemed to enjoy every minute of the course and have rediscovered a passion for cooking.”

The Stroke Association’s Back To Life Service in Bradford helps stroke survivors enjoy social and occupational opportunities and personal goals, whether returning to work, volunteering, or learning a new hobby. Stroke survivors, and carers, are supported as they work towards regaining confidence, skills and independence after their stroke, and engaging with their local communities to reduce isolation.

For further information about stroke or The Stroke Association, contact the stroke information helpline on 0303 3033100, or visit stroke.org.uk. For more information about The Bradford Ministry of Food, call (01274) 435279.