Adults with learning difficulties getting to grips with the science of a healthy diet
3rd February 2010
Superfoods explained - DVD launch event.
An innovative project has enabled people with learning difficulties to uncover some of the science behind a healthy diet and to produce resources to share their finding with their peers. The Garden Science Trust, People First of Norfolk and scientists from the Institute of Food Research have worked with adults with learning difficulties to produce a DVD called ‘superfoods explained.’ This will be distributed widely to residential homes, day services and education providers. The DVD was launched on February 3rd 2010.
‘People with learning difficulties have health issues like everyone else, but often have less choice about their lifestyles and can find it hard to gather information about food’ said Sheila Mathias (Programme Director, Garden Science Trust). ‘They are a neglected audience who are especially vulnerable to health problems and can benefit from an improved diet’.
The Garden Science Trust, People First of Norfolk and the Institute of Food Research (IFR) have worked together to develop workshops for people with learning difficulties to explore so-called superfoods and to think about the science behind the claims for health benefits.
‘It was really interesting working with the scientists’ said June Walton, member of People First and the project worker for superfoods explained. ‘I have learned a lot about food and about how scientists work.’
IFR scientist Dave Hart said, ‘tasting unfamiliar foods and talking about the effects that foods might have on the heart, blood system and gut was a real eye-opener for some of the participants. It has been a real challenge to simplify the science but ensure that it remains accurate.’
The launch event included a celebration for the people who took part in the workshops and filming plus the first screening of ‘superfoods explained.’ Dr Ian Gibson, well known in Norfolk for his continuing support of both of science and of people with learning difficulties opened the event.
The DVD presents information about a range of foods which are marketed with claims for health benefits, plus interviews with food scientists and a dietician. We hope that the DVD will be used widely to help people with learning difficulties think about the relation between food and medical health.
The year-long project was funded by a Wellcome Trust People Award as part of their Engaging Science grants programme .
The DVD was produced by Shellytelly
Notes to Editors:
The Gardens Science Trust is a registered charity () working with adults with learning difficulties and children with special educational needs. The Trust uses gardening, among other, activities to teach science to those who use its services. The Trust works with several partner organisations. It is based at the EcoTech Centre, Swaffham, Norfolk.
People First of Norfolk is a self advocacy organisation run by and for people with learning difficulties. We are independent and have offices in Great Yarmouth, Norwich and Cromer. Self advocacy is about speaking up for ourselves, doing things ourselves, making our own decisions, having confidence, being able to say ‘no’ and having the right to say what we want. Our mission is for all adults with learning difficulties in Norfolk to be confident self advocates, controlling their own lives and making their own decisions, with support from people they trust.
T: 01603 789889
E: admin@pfn.org.uk.
The mission of the Institute of Food Research (www.ifr.ac.uk ) is to undertake international quality scientific research relevant to food and human health and to work in partnership with others to provide underpinning science for consumers, policy makers, the food industry and academia. It is a company limited by guarantee, with charitable status, grant aided by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (www.bbsrc.ac.uk ).
Andrew Chapple, Press Office Assistant
T: 01603 251490
E: andrew.chapple@bbsrc.ac.uk
The Wellcome Trust is the largest charity in the UK. It funds innovative biomedical research, in the UK and internationally, spending over £600 million each year to support the brightest scientists with the best ideas. The Wellcome Trust supports public debate about biomedical research and its impact on health and wellbeing. http://www.wellcome.ac.uk
Shellytelly is a Norwich-based community film company that specialises in working with people with learning difficulties. www.shellytelly.co.uk
Fax: +44(0)1603 507723