DADS and their sons in Bolton, are getting the chance to cook their way to a healthier lifestyle thanks to new funding from People’s Health Trust.

Three ‘Let’s Get Cooking’ sessions have been set up in Bolton, at St Paul’s School, Newham Street, Bolton, Horwich C of E Primary and St Gregory’s Farnworth, as part of the new scheme in Greater Manchester which has attracted more than £43,000 of new funding, raised by HealthSustain through The Health Lottery.

The aim is to train volunteers from local clubs to start sessions specially designed for dads or male carers and their sons, or daughters.

It follows research which shows British fathers are playing a greater role than ever in raising their children, doing more cooking and shopping for food.

Let’s Get Cooking hopes to run sessions at ten of its local clubs, reaching a total of 1,000 men in Greater Manchester by the end of the project.

Maggie Sims from the programme said: “We’ve already been trying lads and dads clubs in other parts of the country and they’ve all been oversubscribed, so we know lots of dads want to improve their skills in the kitchen. This is about food that’s quick, easy, healthy and affordable.”

Judy Hargadon, chief executive of the Children’s Food Trust, said: “Learning to cook a nutritious meal from scratch and on a budget can make such a difference to the health of people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

“It’s a simple thing, but makes a big impact.”