TWO new initiatives have been launched in Rose Hill as part of an ongoing project to regenerate the estate.

Cookery workshops are aimed at helping residents eat more healthly, while English classes have begun to aid people looking for work. Most are run with the help of volunteers and the Rose Hill Regeneration Project is looking for at least 30 more helpers to get involved.

Volunteer Gill Leigh-Cattrall, from Cowley, helps with the free cookery workshops, which run every Tuesday and Thursday at Rose Hill Primary School in The Oval.

The 68-year-old grandmother-of-three said: “I am retired now but I have always worked with people because I was a support officer. I do enjoy it. You make friends, it gets you out and helps you mix with other people.”

Ali Hall, Rose Hill Regeneration Lottery Project volunteer coordinator, said: “Volunteers have helped out in so many different ways. During the last year we have had people volunteering their time at the local youth club, helping out with food bank deliveries, writing for Rose Hill News, cooking for community events, running a knitting group and helping out at community events stewarding or running stalls.”

Fran Gardner, Rose Hill community worker, said: “We are always looking for volunteers because one of the outcomes for the Lottery project is we have to encourage at least 30 volunteers every year.

“We exceeded our target for last year – we had 52 volunteers.

“It doesn’t mean these people are no longer with us but we need to encourage more volunteers.”

The cookery lessons are run with community group Food4All.

Julia Hayes, from Food4All, said: “The idea is just to develop people’s confidence and skills with cooking.It’s to learn quick and easy recipes using very economical ingredients.”

Workshops are free and run every Tuesday and Thursday from 3.30pm to 5.30pm. Childcare is provided and a meal is served at the end of the session.

Free English language classes concentrating on business vocabulary have also launched, thanks to the Oxford Business College and the Rose Hill Lottery project. The six-week course started on Wednesday and runs weekly at 6pm at Rose Hill Community Centre.

Emilia Szeszko, 34, from Rose Hill, is one of the students.

She said: “I think it is a brilliant idea and it is a shame we have not had something like this before.”

Rafal Witczak, business development manager for Oxford Business College, said: “This is to help them to get a better understanding when writing CVs and applying for jobs.”

Volunteers are particularly needed as car and minibus drivers, cooks or cookery enthusiasts and play workers. Urdu and Hindi speakers are also required.

To book a place or volunteer call or text Fran Gardner on 07770 324277. Rafal can be contacted on 01865 791908.