Independent living skills – cooking

Independent living skills – cooking
For Families For Young People

August 22, 2024

We are the RSBC

Recently, we put on an independent living skills cookery session for a group of blind and partially sighted children and young people at our Life Without Limits Centre. The session was led by a Habilitation Specialist (someone who teaches children and young people with vision impairment to move around as safely, and independently as possible). It was suitable for complete beginners and those with some cooking experience. It offered the young people an opportunity to learn new independent living skills as well as develop their existing ones.

A metal muffin tray filled with delicious looking blueberry muffins and chocolate chip muffins. In the background there is a messy kitchen.

The group learned a range of skills, including being able to follow two recipes during a cooking session. They first made their pizza dough, and while waiting for it to rise, they made some muffins and prepared their pizza toppings and a salad. Once the pizza dough had risen, they were able to make their pizza bases, spread their toppings, then cook and eat their homemade pizzas!

Practicing Key Skills

The group learned and practiced some key skills they will need for the future, including cutting skills. They cut and prepared their salads using a sharp knife while practicing using the bridge and claw grips. They broke eggs into cake mixes with no shell added, and practiced spreading tomato sauce onto pizza bases and discussed how this skill transfers to spreading butter on bread and toast. They also took part in washing up.

Anna, a light-skinned woman and RSBC staff member, helping a medium-light skinned young girl make cupcakes. Anna is holding the young girls arm, guiding her as they pour the cake mixture into cupcake wrappers placed in a cake-tin. Around them is a bustling kitchen.

During the session, the young people were able to try out a wide range of equipment. They saw how specialist equipment, like talking scales, can help measure solid ingredients and liquids, as well as the benefits of using non-slip mats when preparing food. We also looked at other equipment that can be found on the high street and why it might be useful.

Useful Kitchen Equipment

Some of the equipment used included:

  • Coloured paring knife – A sharp knife is needed, as a blunt knife can lead to injuries. A high contrast/coloured knife can help with visibility.
  • Coloured mixing bowls and measuring spoons – Different colours with high contrast can be useful in the kitchen. Measuring spoons can also be fitted with braille labels or tactile marks if needed.
  • Onion holders – These can be used to push into food when cutting, keeping fingers away and safe.
  • Finger guards – These can protect fingers when cutting.
  • Cut-resistant gloves – Can be worn when cutting.
  • Heat-proof gloves – Can be used to take food in and out of the oven.
A range of kitchen equipment laid out on the counter. From top left to bottom right: a wooden spoon, a mixing bowl and kitchen scale, a bag of flour, an orange Tupperware tub, a red chopping board with a green kitchen knife, a red chopping board with a green pepper and a pair of safety gloves.

Building Confidence in the Kitchen

Having the opportunity to practice and develop these skills is important for building an independent future. Being exposed to the kitchen environment and taking part in cooking activities from an early age is key to being confident in the kitchen. Our cooking sessions aim to build confidence in the whole family, providing skills, plans, and practical advice that can be applied in day-to-day life. The sessions are always fun, too.

A close-up of a pair of hands, wearing oven-gloves, holding a baking tray with two small cheesy pizzas on it. The pizzas look homemade and delicious, with topping of pepper and red onion.

Feedback from the young cooks

Here is just a little bit of feedback from the latest session:

“I have enjoyed the session and learning some new skills.”
“My pizza was great.”
“I have always struggled to do this before today.”
“I’m pleased I did that without help.”

Download the recipes in large print:

Please keep an eye on our website for more opportunities to join in with our cooking sessions, or contact us directly if you would like more support in developing independent living skills.

Check out our other activities and events.