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Empowerment Through Cooking

Join us in transforming lives with every meal prepared.
Explore our programs today!

Workshop session

Empowering communities

Building confidence through hands-on cooking workshops and cultural exploration.

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Cooking together

Creating independence

Teaching essential life skills that create independence and self-confidence for young people.

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Learning and growing

Alternative Education

Quality education through practical workshops that inspire creativity and growth.

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LIFE SKILLS HAS PROVIDED WORKSHOPS TO OVER
750 YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS THE UK.

WHY COOKING MATTERS

Students learning cooking skills

Transforming lives one meal at a time, whilst remaining culturally rich

Cooking is a powerful tool for self-expression, independence, and cultural pride. Our workshops inspire young people to experiment with ingredients and make informed choices about what they eat.

Our workshops go beyond teaching recipes—they embrace creativity and connect participants to the rich culinary traditions of West Africa, providing a sense of identity, diversity and pride that resonates deeply with our mission.

The joy of cooking is at the heart of everything we do. Through our interactive educational, fun and engaging sessions, young people discover the satisfaction of creating something with their own hands, fostering a sense of accomplishment and boosting their confidence.

PSHE - LEARN BY DOING

Students in PSHE workshop

Jollof Life Skills Workshops: A Comprehensive Educational Program

Our flagship initiative has reached over 500 young people, with a mission to impact 700 more by year's end. We're partnering with 25 schools to ensure these essential skills reach as many young people as possible.

Our workshops are fully aligned with the PSHE curriculum for Years 6, 7, 8, and 9, providing an engaging and educational experience that complements classroom learning.

For younger students, the workshops offer a hands-on, practical component in their food technology lessons, making the subject more interactive and enjoyable.

These workshops are not just about cooking—they are about building life skills, encouraging teamwork, and nurturing a sense of community. By equipping young people with the tools to cook cost-effective, healthy meals, we are setting them up for a lifetime of better choices and greater opportunities.

OUR MISSION & VISION

To educate, inspire and transform young people's lives through healthy eating - whilst preserving authentic West African culture.

OUR PARTNERS

Community Fund
engineeroom
Shirley's
Shirley Boateng, CEO

A Word
From Our CEO

“A healthy mental state is the foundation of our well-being and the spirit needed for success. By prioritizing our mental health, we empower ourselves to tackle challenges and foster creativity.

Embracing the art of healthy food fuels both our bodies and minds. Let's commit to nurturing the next generation of wellness together, creating an environment that supports our growth and success.”

– Shirley Boateng

A JOURNEY OF
IMPACT AND GROWTH

From our humble beginnings, we have witnessed firsthand the challenges that arise from a lack of knowledge, resources, and healthy outlets for young people. A lack of access to resources and social structures often leads to poor decision-making and even mental health struggles. At SS Life Skills CIC, we are determined to change that narrative.

Since starting our workshops independently, we have equipped over 500 young people with the skills and confidence to cook nutritious meals. Our workshops are designed to make cooking fun, easy, and accessible, igniting a lifelong passion for food and self-sufficiency. Thanks to the support of Shirley's Jollof Paste and funding from the National Lottery, we have expanded our reach nationwide, offering workshops more consistently and impacting even more lives.

At the heart of what we do is provide young people with cooking skills that enable them to become creative with the cooking process whilst understanding the importance of the right foods fueling your body.
Food reflects culture. We are all about cultural celebration of west african culture. Educating young people is vital in establishing a greater connection to authentic cuisine.
Cooking is a great way to break barriers, connect with others and celebrate different backgrounds focusing on our similarities rather than our differences.
The programme gives young people vital skills that boost their independence and future opportunities. By Equipping them with the necessary skills, we believe that it will provide the fundamental skills of focused practical learning.
Students in cooking workshop