Empowering Young Minds through the Art of cooking. Charity. Our Community.
At SS Life Skills CIC, we believe that cooking is more than just a skill—it’s a gateway to empowerment, creativity, and cultural connection. Our organisation is dedicated to combating the lack of essential life skills among young people by teaching them how to prepare cost-effective, healthy, and culturally rich meals. With a core mission to educate and inspire, we are transforming lives one meal at a time, while preserving the authentic flavours of West African culture.
How You Can Get Involved
Contact Us to get Involved
COMMUNITY IMPACT
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.
COMNITY VALUES
Cooking is a powerful tool for self-expression, independence, and cultural pride. Our workshops go beyond teaching recipes—they inspire young people to experiment with ingredients, embrace creativity, and make informed choices about what they eat. By connecting participants to the rich culinary traditions of West Africa, we provide 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
Jollof Life Skills Workshops: A Comprehensive Educational Program
Our flagship initiative, the jollof Life Skills Workshops, has already reached over 300 young people, and we are on a mission to impact 700 more by the end of the year—bringing our total to 1,000 empowered participants. To achieve this ambitious goal, we are partnering with 28 schools across the country, ensuring that 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 Year 10 students, the workshops offer a hands-on, practical component to their food technology lessons, making the subject more interactive and enjoyable. Furthermore, for Years 11 and 12, our program serves as a vital part of their personal development, equipping them with the skills they need for independent living as they prepare for university and adulthood.
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.
What We Do
SS Life Skills is a UK-based charity organisation that aims to provide educational and vocational training programs to individuals who face barriers to employment and social inclusion. The organisation was established in 2014 and is registered as a Community Interest Company. It is run as a social enterprise with a mission to benefit the community rather than generate profits for shareholders.
SS Life Skills offers a range of courses and programs designed to help individuals develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the workplace and in their personal lives. The organization works with a wide range of partners, including local authorities, schools, and other community organizations, to identify individuals who could benefit from its services.
The organisation’s approach is based on the principles of experiential learning, which means that participants are encouraged to learn through hands-on activities and real-world experiences. SS Life Skills programs are designed to be inclusive and accessible to individuals of all backgrounds and abilities. The organisation is committed to creating a supportive and nurturing environment for all its participants.
Overall, SS Life Skills is a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation that is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals who face barriers to employment and social inclusion. Through its innovative programs and partnerships, the organisation is making a real difference in the lives of people in the UK and beyond.
Our Story
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.
Ongoing Causes
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Newstead Wood Grammar School
Young adults being blown away at school in something so unique yet familar. exploring the history and culture of food not only makes food fun but it also transforms the way in which people, espcially young people, connect with each other and themselves.
More Than Just Food
We beleieve in what we are dong and we want as many people to hear it as possible. Lives are being transformed. It might seem small but the knock on effects in giving a child hope, direction and love, whilst equipping them with the skills needed to live a healthlier life, is priceless.
Young Chefs
Children of all ages have flocked to the workshops that we have ran. they are not just to have fund but to also give young people a skill for life that will also pave the way to other things such as discipline, drive, and focus, all of which are essential in bestowing in our young people
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Become a Volunteer Today
We cannot impact lives of young people within the local community with support. We need you! We need passionate people that care about the next generation to change the narrartive of thousands of lives.
Helping Children All Over the Country
Our Life Skill Programmes aimed at young people all around the country. We beleive that one meal can make a feed someone for a moment, but educating one child and turn the tide of a generation.
Featured Foundation Sponsors
Get in Touch. Get Involved.
Whether you’re a parent looking for an engaging activity for your child, a school interested in partnering with us, or simply someone who believes in the power of food to change lives, we invite you to join us on this journey. Together, we can empower young people to make healthier, more informed choices, while celebrating the rich culinary traditions of West Africa.
At SS Life Skills CIC, we don’t just teach cooking—we inspire a lifetime of confidence, creativity, and cultural pride. Let’s cook up a brighter future together.
For more information about our workshops or how to partner with us, please contact us today. Let’s spark a passion for cooking and empower the next generation to thrive.