The Grub Club was founded by Aisling Kirwan. The programme combines Aisling’s love of cooking with her eagerness to see every child succeed. As a teacher, Aisling experienced the significant and immediate effect that bad diets have on students’ ability to succeed, particularly those from low-income backgrounds. Further research confirmed that fulfilling a child’s basic nutritional requirements significantly impacts on their ability to be healthy and reach their full potential. The organisation has achieved considerable success building the confidence and resilience of some of the most disadvantaged children and young people – working with around 340 children and young people each year. The Grub Club provides low-income families with the tools required to be nutritionally healthy through free weekly after-school cooking lessons run by trained professionals. Participants enhance their knowledge and skills required to make informed nutritional decisions in order to improve their brain function and achieve their optimum potential. Community is at the core of The Grub Club with students working alongside their parents/carers to produce affordable nutritious meals within a familiar school setting to support students to be successful.

Award Date: April 2016