News
Serving up success at Bright Ideas Awards
A research project which aimed to improve access to healthy, affordable food for adults living with severe mental illness (SMI) in Teesside has won a Bright Ideas in Health Award.
Jenny’s Pasta, a lentil bolognese ready meal, was developed and made available in social supermarkets across Middlesbrough, after a previous research study revealed that over 50% of a sample of people with SMI in the north of England live with food insecurity. This is considerably higher than the national average of 18%.
The dish was made by people living with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) as part of a year-long research study to tackle food insecurity and improve access to quality food in Middlesbrough.
The project won in the Research for Local Health Needs category, sponsored by NIHR Research Delivery Network NENC.
The study was led by researchers and clinicians from Fuse, the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, Teesside University, community organisation Middlesbrough Environment City and Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV).
Thirty cartons of Jenny’s Pasta were produced using surplus ingredients and made available in social supermarkets across Middlesbrough.
Jo Smith, Fuse Associate and consultant dietitian (clinical academic) at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, was lead researcher on the project and attended the event in Newcastle to accept the award alongside her colleagues.
She said: "We are delighted to have won this award for our research helping people with severe mental illness to access healthy, affordable food whilst reducing food waste.
"We plan to do more research in this area, including developing a wider range of ready meals using surplus food.
"This award is a testament to the effective partnership working between Fuse, the Trust, Teesside University and Middlesbrough Environment City."
The research project was funded by a Programme Development Grant from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
Resources and further information
Podcast:
News items:
- Jenny’s Pasta aims to tackle food insecurity
- Research into food insecurity and severe mental illness
Fuse blogs:
- Supporting people with Severe Mental Illness who face food insecurity to access a nourishing meal
- What came first, food insecurity or severe mental illness?
Research brief:
Research papers:
- Food insecurity in adults with severe mental illness: A systematic review with meta-analysis
- Food insecurity in adults with severe mental illness living in Northern England: A co-produced cross-sectional study
Photo: L-R: Claire Atkins, Peer Lead for Research at TEWV, Jo Smith, Dr Jibin He from Teesside University.
Last modified: Fri, 22 Nov 2024 17:12:00 GMT
