A COMMUNITY charity has found a way to help people who cannot afford to use their ovens. Home To Work, which has been supporting people in the unemployment blackspot of West Cumbria since 2001, is handing out slow cookers to those worst affected by the cost-of-living crisis. It is also offering cookery classes to show how to use them most effectively.

A slow cooker costs approximately 4p per hour to run, compared with 45p for a conventional oven.

The charity’s managing director, Karen Jones, said: “We want to share that not only can you make soups and stews with a slow cooker, but you can make breads, cakes, casseroles, and a whole range of things. We give our course attendees food vouchers for local butchers and supermarkets so that they can use what they learned in our sessions to cook at home. They also learn all about food safety and hygiene.”

The first of the two-day courses was booked almost immediately, and the organisers have had to start a reserve list. “We were overwhelmed and delighted with the interest,” Ms Jones said. “Clearly, there is a very high demand.”

People on the courses also receive a blanket, and a Thermos flask and apron, funded by the Cumbria Community Foundation.

HOME TO WORKThe managing director of Home to Work, Karen Jones

Home to Work runs courses to help the unemployed, as well as life-coaching sessions, and support with job applications.

Its headquarters in Cleator Moor also acts as a warm hub the provides a hot meal, company and conversation, and card games, or is somewhere just to sit and read or knit. It also operates a minibus, donated by Shepley Engineers, of Whitehaven, to provide transport for people who would otherwise be unable to attend.

“Our staff are fully trained and qualified to help anyone who comes to us,” Ms Jones said. “We are open and non-judgemental. We have a dedicated team who always go the extra mile to make a difference in someone’s life.”