Marcus Rashford has teamed up with Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge to launch a new campaign designed to help families cook healthy meals on a budget.
The nationwide scheme – titled Full Time: Get Cooking – will see the Manchester United striker and acclaimed TV foodie shoot cooking videos together and release them weekly via social media.
The pair, who collaborated on the National Food Strategy earlier this year, will post 52 recipes in total – with a new video appearing on Instagram every Sunday morning.
The free recipes will be available on recipe cards in supermarkets, schools and food banks – with a QR code linking through to the Full Time social media page.
Tortilla Pizzas, Chicken Satay Stir Fry, Fish Pie Jackets, Mexican Style Chicken, Broccoli & Cauliflower Cheese, Creamy Chicken Pie and Fish Finger Butties are just some of the items set to appear on the channel.
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Each recipe will be easy to create with limited equipment.
Manchester United and England footballer Rashford has led a relentless campaign to end food poverty for over a year – having established a direct line to Downing Street during a successful bid to force a government u-turn on free school meals.
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His efforts have earned him numerous accolades including an honorary doctorate from University of Manchester – but his latest mission involves getting families to spend time together in kitchens.
Rashford commented: “This project is for every child and I really hope parents and carers will benefit from having a bit of valuable time together in the kitchen when family activity is heavily restricted by financial restraints.
“We needed to come up with a creative project that really engaged children most in need, preparing them for what adult life has to offer, whilst also attracting all children to break down stigma around usage of [food] vouchers.
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He added: “Even though I’m not the best cook, I’ve enjoyed getting in the kitchen and doing my best.
“When my mum was at home I’d always watch her cooking and have a nosey and a laugh. Half an hour of a bit of fun before I went back to sleep and she went back to work. From where I look at it, why not create something similar to that?”
COMING SOON!! Head over to Instagram and follow #FullTimeMeals
Kerridge – who owns the Bull & Bear restaurant at Manchester’s Stock Exchange Hotel – also remembers the value of learning to cook for himself when he was a teenager.
The chef stated: “Marcus has always been one to encourage life skills and cooking is a valuable skill that everyone can embrace and that will see you through the whole of your life.
“If you can engage with food from the start, you can grow, develop and build your own collection of recipes, and enjoy cooking together.
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“This is peeling carrots, peeling potatoes, dicing onions – this isn’t making tagines or braising beef briskets. This is right at the beginning.”
The first Full-Time: Get Cooking video will be released on Sunday 25 April.
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
The Manc -
22nd April 2021 
