A Pilot Evaluation of WELLfed, a Community-Based Adult Education Intervention

Kahurangi Jean Dey (), Kankshita Dewan, Kim Murray, Donna Hiroki and Mona Jeffreys
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Kahurangi Jean Dey: Te Hikuwai Rangahau Hauora|Health Services Research Centre, Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Kankshita Dewan: Te Hikuwai Rangahau Hauora|Health Services Research Centre, Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Kim Murray: WELLfed, Porirua 5024, New Zealand
Donna Hiroki: Te Hikuwai Rangahau Hauora|Health Services Research Centre, Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Mona Jeffreys: Te Hikuwai Rangahau Hauora|Health Services Research Centre, Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 4, 1-14

Abstract: Introduction: WELLfed is a community-based adult education programme focused on improving food literacy, with a stated aim to “nourish communities through food and connections”, in a low-income community in Aotearoa New Zealand. Adult learners are taught food preparation and cooking skills in weekly interactive sessions. Here, we describe two pilot phases of a three-phase evaluation. Methods: Our overall aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of the WELLfed programme. Phase 1, in keeping with the co-design approach of WELLfed, co-designed outcome measures through five focus groups ( n = 20) involving a wide range of stakeholders. Phase 2 developed and refined a survey based on these co-designed measures. The survey was administered to WELLfed learners at baseline ( n = 15) and again towards the end of their programme (follow-up n = 12). Wilcoxon rank sum tests of significance were performed, restricted to participants with both baseline and follow-up data. Results: Five domains of importance identified in Phase 1 were as follows: (i) engagement support, (ii) food knowledge and skills, (iii) personal development, (iv) relationship transformation, and (v) community flourishing. Phase 2 findings include increased comfort level at engagement ( p = 0.063). Food knowledge and preparation skills improved on a range of factors. All metrics of self-confidence and self-efficacy increased, with the greatest change being the ability to find support in times of crisis. Self-reported excellent or very good health increased ( p = 0.050). Fewer people reported food running out due to a lack of money ( p = 0.016) or eating less because of a lack of money ( p = 0.008). Conclusions: The pilot study shows the effectiveness of the WELLfed programme for improving food knowledge and skills, reducing food insecurity, and improving health outcomes. Further research with a larger sample size is required to confirm these pilot results.

Keywords: food security; community interventions; adult education; nutrition; self-efficacy; food insecurity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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