A new handbook to support local treatment services with delivering cooking and eating activities for people experiencing alcohol harm has been published by the charity Alcohol Change UK.
The Feeding Recovery Handbook, developed in partnership with two alcohol and drug treatment centres in Wales – Barod and The Nelson Trust – follows a six-month project between July and December 2024 funded by the Welsh Government and led by Alcohol Change UK.
It saw guests of the two facilities, located in Swansea and Cardiff, participate in a series of cooking and food sharing activities, where researchers explored the connection between alcohol, eating and social connection. Varying between lunch clubs and cookery classes, guests, staff, volunteers and researchers came together to make and share nutritious, easy meals including curries, stews, pasta dishes and cakes, while making space for conversations and social connection.
Using the learnings and experiences of participants, the team has developed a free Handbook to promote the health, wellbeing and social benefits of food–based activities within alcohol treatment provision, alongside offering practical guidance to services looking to deliver these activities.
The Feeding Recovery project was launched after a Swansea University report for Alcohol Change UK highlighted the complex relationship between harmful alcohol consumption and eating behaviours. Key findings suggest that when alcohol dominates a person’s life, food and nutrition is often relegated to a ‘secondary’ priority, while there appears to be a clear contrast between positive relationships with food, often associated with ‘love, care and pleasure’ and negative relationships with food, often compounded by the solitary and isolated nature of alcohol harm. In addition, the research identified a correlation between alcohol use and increased susceptibility to eating disorders, making the case for holistic support.
Andrew Misell, Director of Wales at Alcohol Change UK, said: “For all of us who drink alcohol there are a range of effects on our health, wellbeing and quality of life, from hangovers and poor sleep to anxiety and depression. These impacts can get worse the more we drink, and our research suggests that when alcohol dominates someone’s life, food often becomes a low priority.
“This means that many people experiencing serious alcohol harm are underfed, underweight, malnourished and socially isolated. The Feeding Recovery Project looked to tackle this, working directly with people to find out how best to support them to eat more and better food, while feeling the social benefits of cooking with others and sharing a meal. It’s clear from the project that food matters, not only for nutritional and health purposes but as a means of connecting with others. We hope that the guidance we provide in the Feeding Recovery Handbook becomes a helpful tool for services delivering these activities as part of their support and thank Barod, The Nelson Trust, every individual who took part and the Welsh Government for making this project a success.”
Jamie Harris, Service Manager at Barod, said: “The Feeding Recovery project encourages face-to-face recovery groups to meet in a kitchen environment, offering unique benefits through combining community support, hands-on engagement and nourishment. This setting is particularly powerful in feeding recovery, promoting the value of proper nutrition which is essential for healing body and mind after prolonged alcohol use. Guests have said that the weekly groups have improved relationships and trust between the organisation and one another, connections which are vital in their own and others’ recovery journeys.”
Niki Gould, Director of Women’s Community Service at The Nelson Trust, added: “It has been a privilege to work in partnership with Alcohol Change UK on the Feeding Recovery project, giving women a voice to co-produce this life changing handbook. Women’s Centres provide a safe space where women can share food, exchange experiences and gain a sense of connection with others which are all critical for recovery.”
To read more about the Feeding Recovery project and download the free Handbook in either English or Welsh, please visit Feeding Recovery Handbook | Alcohol Change UK.
