REAP Sapphire Coast conducted a Nice Easy Simple Tips (NEST) cooking and nutrition program with clients of Workability at their Bega office and kitchen on Wednesday, August 17.

The participants prepared food for the Ability Links second birthday “Lower Your Fences, Lengthen Your Tables” event held at the Tura Marrang Library and Community Centre the next day. 

Ability Links aims to link people with disability, their families and carers with the community.

Workability’s community connections facilitator Kerryn Constable said all the Workability clients had a fantastic time in the kitchen. 

“Everybody just loved it, they each had some space and a certain dish to cook,” Ms Constable said. 

“They spent the whole time talking and laughing, it was great to be a part of.”

The participants for Wednesday’s NEST program carried out final food preparation steps in the library’s kitchen oven which was “christened” according to library staff.

Food for the event was predominately rescued food sourced by REAP Sapphire Coast plus a few donations from friends and supporters. 

Dishes prepared included chocolate coated strawberries, apple tartlets, chocolate chip cookies, raspberry and white chocolate muffins, cheese and celery sticks and Caesar salad cups along with fresh fruit and popcorn.

Over 30 people participated in the Lower Your Fences, Lengthen Your Table event which included a meal and a number of inspirational presentations.

Beck Minear of Ability Links who organised the event praised the help of all those involved in creating the small but positive event. 

“We want to encourage people to lower their defences and to invite people around for a meal, a coffee or just a chat,” Ms Minear said. 

“It’s all about making the community more supportive of everyone.”

Ms Minear said she was so happy with the event she is looking to run similar ones in the future. 

“We’ve already had some interest from others wanting to be involved and wanting to help break down barriers.”

The NEST program is a free program available for not-for-profit groups and charities and can be run to suit people of any age, ability or special needs. 

If you are interested in having a NEST program run for your organisation, contact Christine Welsh at reapsapphirecoast@gmail.com.