Chop & Chat (Cyrenians)

Availability : Edinburgh Wide

Provided by: Cyrenians

Who is this for?

This programme is best suited to participants who:
  • Are over the age of 18
  • Have a basic level of confidence and experience in cooking
  • Have a good understanding of kitchen hygiene practices
  • Are able to work confidently and independently in a busy kitchen

Description

    Chop & Chat is a 6-week cooking programme run at Cyrenians Cook School. The programme is designed to help participants further develop their cooking skills in a safe, social and supportive environment, while also being supported towards volunteer pathways with Cyrenians and contributing to our wider community food projects.

    It is particularly well suited to people who have a background in food and are looking to return to a kitchen environment, or those who are hoping to work with food in the future and want to build their skills and confidence.
    As participants will be preparing food that contributes to our community projects, it is important that they are able to follow direction and maintain good hygiene standards throughout.

    How do I access this?

    • Referral by third party

    Must be referred by a health and/or social work professional e.g. Occupational Therapist, Support Worker, GP.

    If you have a client, you think would benefit from this programme, we ask that you complete an initial referral form and risk assessment on their behalf. Once we have received and processed the referral, we will invite the potential participant to visit the Cook School for an informal meeting to discuss the programme in more detail. We kindly ask that their support worker accompanies them to this initial meeting.

    Is there a cost?

    Free

    Opening times

    Classes usually run for 6-week blocks on a Tuesday afternoon, but this may change.
    Cyrenians

    Contact Details

    0131 380 2663
    foodeducation@cyrenians.scot
    cyrenians.scot/how-we-help/142-cooking-skills-courses
    Cyrenians Cook School, 66-68 Jane Street, Edinburgh, EH6 5HG

    Social media:

    Downloads


    Chop and Chat Referral Form
    (207.46 KB pdf)

    Types of support on offer:

    Support in person
    Support with others

    Type of services on offer:

    General wellbeing
    Healthy living
    Learning, employability, volunteering

    Print this page

    Share this page

    Was this page helpful?

    Other Suggested Services

    Cedar Project (LinkLiving)

    Keep Yourself Well Course – ‘The Salisbury Centre’ – November/December 2026 (Health in Mind)

    7-week course helping participants create a personalised Keep Well plan and develop practical tools to support recovery, wellbeing and self-care.

    Decider Skills Course – October/November 2026, In Person S Queensferry (Health In Mind)

    5-week course developing practical skills to manage thoughts, emotions and mental wellbeing, including mindfulness, emotion regulation and distress tolerance.

    Looking for self-help information

    If you’re experiencing low mood, anxiety, or stress in your life, looking into self-help activities and ideas might be the right option for you.
    Find activities to help