A Black Country mother of two is tackling food insecurity head-on with a new initiative that already has parents queuing to enroll their children. Camilla Nevin, 39, from Oldbury, founded Little Hands Big Meals CIC, a community project offering vital cooking sessions for children aged 8 to 11.
A Personal Journey
Speaking to BirminghamLive, the nail artist explained how the idea came to her during the COVID-19 pandemic. 'When our salon shut down, I needed a job, so I started working in the school kitchen,' she said. There, she witnessed children from all backgrounds arriving at school hungry. While poverty played a role, she noted that many parents faced struggles that made home life difficult.
Empowering Children Through Cooking
Camilla emphasised that younger children often lack the skills to prepare food. 'Even being able to crack an egg can unlock so many food options. If you can crack an egg, you can't go hungry because you can make so much with it,' she said. This realisation spurred her to act quickly. 'I thought, we need to do something for these younger kids,' she added.
She described the frustration of seeing children hungry while school policies prevented staff from giving extra food. 'You can't give them extra. You're throwing it in the bin sometimes, but the kids are still hungry. It used to irritate me,' she recalled.
Balancing Work and Community
Camilla now works six days a week, balancing her full-time nail artistry career with running cooking sessions every Monday from 4pm to 5:45pm at St Hilda's Church. With help from her children, friends, and fellow parents, the sessions have become so popular that there are now waiting lists.
Currently, she offers 10 spots per week, with each parent paying £4 per child to cover food costs. However, she hopes to expand further. 'I did fundraising in the salon and got a lot from friends. The first session was funded by Asda. Now I charge £4 per child so the food for the next session is ready,' she explained. Her ultimate goal is to secure funding to offer free sessions during school holidays.
Teaching Beyond Cooking
Camilla believes every child should know how to cook. She also addresses the cost-of-living crisis with her students, showing them that cheaper products can be just as good. 'It's exactly the same thing, but it still tastes good,' she told them. 'You shouldn't need to worry about the cost of living, but if you can open your cupboard and make something, you'll be able to concentrate at school the next day.'
To donate to Camilla's mission, visit her fundraising page.
