UCC ENACTUS - FOOD FOR THOUGHT.

What Was Food for Thought at UCC Enactus?

While studying at University College Cork (UCC), I joined Enactus, a student society focused on entrepreneurship, innovation and social impact. It was through Enactus that I met Kieran Cunnane and became involved in his initiative, Food for Thought.

Food for Thought was a student mental health initiative that aimed to raise awareness of mental health issues, challenge stigma and encourage positive mental wellbeing. The project used something we all share a connection with (food) to bring students together and create opportunities for meaningful conversations.

Through cooking, preparing and sharing meals, students could meet new people, build friendships and openly discuss their experiences with mental health in a welcoming, supportive environment.

Using Food to Encourage Mental Health Awareness

University life can be exciting, but it can also bring stress, academic pressure and the challenges of navigating college social life. Food for Thought offered students a space away from these pressures, where they could relax, connect with others and feel part of a community.

Cooking and eating together provided a natural way to start conversations that might otherwise feel difficult. Students were encouraged to share their experiences, learn from one another and support positive mental health practices.

At its heart, Food for Thought was about more than food. It was about building connections, creating a sense of belonging and helping to break down the stigma surrounding mental health.

Image caption: The chef and I preparing a main course during a Food for Thought event.

Learning New Skills and Building Community

One of the highlights of the project was having a local chef volunteer his time to guide us during our cooking sessions. He shared practical cooking tips, taught us new techniques and helped us become more confident in the kitchen.

These sessions gave students the opportunity to learn new skills while working together towards a shared goal. Preparing a meal as a group encouraged teamwork and conversation, helping friendships develop naturally.

During my year with Food for Thought, I helped organise events and managed the project's Facebook page. I created event listings, engaged with our online audience and designed graphics to promote activities and encourage students to get involved.

This experience allowed me to combine my interest in community initiatives with practical skills in social media management, event organisation and graphic design.

Cork Penny Dinners: Supporting a Meaningful Student Initiative

A special thank you goes to Cork Penny Dinners for their kindness and generosity throughout the project. By sharing their kitchen and dining space with us, they helped make Food for Thought possible.

Their support, advice and willingness to create opportunities for young people made a real difference to the experience. Having a welcoming place to cook, eat and connect was an important part of what made the initiative so special.

Community partnerships like this demonstrate how local organisations and student-led projects can work together to encourage connection, promote mental health awareness and make a positive social impact in Cork.

My Experience with UCC Enactus Food for Thought

Looking back, Food for Thought remains one of the projects I am most proud to have been involved in during my time at University College Cork.

For a full year, we worked towards challenging mental health stigma, encouraging open conversations and creating opportunities for students to build lasting friendships. The project showed me how a simple idea (bringing people together over food) can help create a supportive community.

Some of my favourite college memories came from taking part in Food for Thought. I am grateful to Kieran Cunnane, our volunteer chef, Cork Penny Dinners and everyone who participated and helped make the project a success.

Food for Thought was a reminder that meaningful social impact can begin with something as simple as sharing a meal.

Video: A look back at the Food for Thought project.

Photography: All photos featured in this post were taken by Ali McCarthy.