The Thanet Summer Kitchen has won a prestigious Inspire the House, Best Contribution by a Community Group award after being nominated by local MP, Craig Mackinlay.
Craig presented the creator of Our Kitchen On The Isle Of Thanet, Sharon Goodyer, with the trophy at the Kids Count INSPIRATION Award ceremony in the House of Commons on Monday evening.
Last August the South Thanet MP visited the Summer Kitchen at Drapers Mills School in Margate, attended by many in his constituency. The Summer-long programme brought people and families together as they enjoyed activities such as hula hooping, flower arranging, board games and cookery lessons in the afternoon, followed by good quality meals in the evenings.
Craig Mackinlay MP, commented:
“I’m so pleased that my nomination for a Kids Count INSPIRATION Award for Sharon Goodyer and the Summer Kitchen has won joint 1st place in the Best Contribution by a Community Group category.
“This is a thoroughly well-deserved award given how hard Sharon and her fellow volunteers worked on behalf of families in Thanet over the summer.
“Sharon is a true local force of nature. Her formula is simple: that is to get communities together and provide healthy meals made with locally sourced products and to help families learn that good home cooking is simple and need not be expensive.
“I share Sharon’s ambitions to ensure even more local residents can enjoy the benefit of The Summer Kitchen project across more sites in 2020.”
Volunteer CEO Our Kitchen on the Isle of Thanet CIC, Sharon Goodyer, added:
“Summer Kitchen opens schools during the summer holidays so the local community can use this asset to provide tastier, healthier meals for everyone.
“To have this simple but effective idea honoured with a Kids Count Inspiration Award is very special.
“This has given us the confidence to take Summer Kitchen national!
“We would like to thank Craig for nominating us.”
More information about the Summer Kitchen can be found at: www.ourkitchenontheisleofthanet.org.uk.