At The Hubb Foundation, we believe in breaking down barriers to ensure everyone can enjoy nutritious, home-cooked meals.
Through the Hubb Pots Project, we provide vulnerable families in Stoke-on-Trent with slow cookers, air fryers, recipe books, and food vouchers. Since its launch in 2021, this initiative has been a lifeline for over 2,000 families, empowering them with practical cooking skills and access to healthy food.
We recently partnered with the Beth Johnson Foundation (BJF) – a charity focused on championing positive ageing, sharing the voices of older people and pushing for positive change in our communities.
Together, we developed clear information recipe cards, designed to make slow cooking accessible to as many families and residents as possible, ensuring that healthy, home-cooked meals are within everyone’s reach.
A Community-Led Approach to Recipe Development
Our collaboration with BJF was not just about creating recipe cards – it was about co-production with the community to ensure the resources were as clear, inclusive, and user-friendly as possible. Volunteers from diverse backgrounds, including older people, individuals with learning disabilities, and those with sight loss, played an essential role in shaping the final product.
✔️ Volunteers reviewed our existing Hubb Pots recipe cards, identifying areas for improvement to enhance clarity and accessibility.
✔️ A test card was developed and trialled, with volunteers following the instructions to cook a meal and providing feedback.
✔️ The test recipe card and slow cookers were distributed to older community members, including people with dementia, autistic individuals, and those with physical disabilities.
✔️ Adjustments were made, and each new card went through the same testing process with BJF volunteers until a full set was completed.
Ensuring Clarity and Usability
Feedback from our ‘community testing’ confirmed that the recipe cards were clear, easy to follow, and useful for anyone using a slow cooker. The success of this process highlighted the importance of accessible design when creating resources for diverse communities.
A Safety-First Approach
Understanding that kitchen safety is just as important as clear instructions, we also collaborated with three health students to create an additional Health & Safety card.
Volunteers emphasised that safety guidance was a crucial resource, and we wanted to ensure that every slow cooker user felt secure and supported when preparing meals.
Sharing Our Work for a Greater Impact
We are incredibly proud of this community-led initiative and the real difference it has made already. To continue spreading the benefits of this project, we are making the recipe cards available online for easy access and download.
A huge thank you to all the volunteers, partners, and community members who helped make this initiative a success. Your contributions have helped create a practical, inclusive, and lasting resource that will support individuals and families for years to come.
Check Out Our Recipe Cards and Get Started!
Head over to our Projects page, give our recipe cards a try, and don’t forget to share your culinary creations with us – we’d love to see how your dish turns out!
