This Friday sees the launch of our new #GEMonline Fakeaway Friday sessions delivered by Healthy Lifestyles Gloucestershire. Each week will have a different themed cook-a-long session, kicking off with a healthy take on a classic Friday favourite.
 
Join us at 4pm on Friday 3rd July for our Moroccan fish and chips cook-a-long session. This cook-a-long will help you get a healthy start to your weekend, and get you one of your two portions of fish recommended each week! (NHS Eat Well Guide)

All the ingredients are detailed below so you are able to join in too.
 
Ingredients
This makes four servings, so feel free to reduce quantities as needed.
600g monkfish tails (or cod fillet), trimmed and cut into 5cm pieces
1kg baking potatoes
2 ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped
½ small cucumber, halved lengthways and finely sliced
1 carrot, peeled and cut into matchstick or peed-peeled into strips
1 tbsp of capers, drained
Small bunch of fresh coriander, leaves picked
4 flat breads or pitta breads
Natural yogurt, to serve
1 tbsp of white wine vinegar
Olive oil (healthy tip - a spray bottle olive oil is helpful for the chips)
Sea salt and black pepper
 
Marinade
Please feel free to vary your spices with your preferred flavours and availability, some brands also offer a ‘fish seasoning’ all in one.
½ tbsp of paprika
½ tbsp of turmeric
½ tbsp of ground ginger
½ tbsp of ground coriander
Small bunch of fresh flat leaf parsley, finely chopped.
 
Method
We will be cooking-a-long, but it would help to get a head start and prepare your fish just before the session begins.
Put your fish in a bowl with all the marinade ingredients, 1-2 tbsp of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper, mix well for even coating, cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. 

** Simply click here to register for the Friday Fakeaway session. **

This recipe is adapted from Jamie Oliver. Take a look at what you will be making here:
https://52weeksofjamie.blogspot.com/2013/01/week-1-moroccan-fish-and-chips.html

We are so proud of our Navigator Developers and behind the scenes GEM team, and how they are truly 'Going the Extra Mile' to support our participants. 

Here are a few snippets of some of the activities our team has been up to, to ensure our participants have the best access and support to the GEM Project, whilst also helping their general wellbeing. 

During this time, accessing information online is vital but we understand this can be difficult for some of our GEMs without the right technology. Sam from The Brandon Trust recently helped one of our GEMs get access to their own laptop so we are still able to continue supporting them.

"Having this laptop is the best thing that's happened to me in a long time. It's so much easier to apply for jobs and take part in online meetings and I couldn't be happier with it."

Emily, Navigator Developer at Inclusion Gloucestershire has also been continually supporting one of her GEMs and providing online help.  

"Throughout the lockdown period I have continued to engage as a GEM participant.  I have received regular contact and support from my Navigator Developer which has helped me feel connected at a time when other services and opportunities are on hold.  Over the last few weeks I have taken part in a variety of online sessions focusing on interview skills and wellbeing via GEM Online.  The sessions are useful and help take my mind away from negative thoughts.  I am pleased to be continuing in my voluntary role with Inclusion Gloucestershire.  They have provided me with a laptop which enables me to complete admin tasks at home and I engage with my colleagues regularly via Microsoft Teams.  Video conferencing is a new skill for me.  My mental wellbeing has been affected by the lockdown.  However, my engagement with GEM and Inclusion Gloucestershire has helped me to stay positive and connected."

Navigator Developer Daniel from GRCC has also been going above and beyond to help his participants, most recently supporting a GEM in getting a new fridge freezer. After being informed that it was broken, Dan sat on the phone with the GEM whilst they did some mindful arts and crafts to help reduce their stress levels which was strongly impacting on their mental health. He then helped with applying for a grant to purchase a new appliance as well as searching local companies that could provide a fridge freezer that was the correct size and cost.