Children and Young Peoples' Mental Health Service (CYPMHS) inpatient unit for West Yorkshire

How’s the food at Red Kite View?

At Red Kite View, we believe freshly made, high-quality food is key to supporting the wellbeing of young people. Our kitchen prepares meals from scratch every day, offering a wide variety of options to suit all tastes and sensory needs. 

The Dietetic Team with Specialist Dietician Mark Hodgson and the Catering Team work closely together to create meals that are both appealing and nutritionally balanced.

“We have to be very flexible,” says Mark. “We work with young people to cater to their current health status and meet their nutritional needs.”

“It is not uncommon for us to be helping some young people with poor appetites. Others may require support with emotional challenges and overactive appetites.”

We can accommodate all dietary preferences, including cultural and religious dietary requirements and sensory sensitivities. Mark explains, “Some young people may have sensory challenges around food, such as smells, tastes, textures, and colours. Autistic people may often experience these challenges.”

By understanding these needs, we provide tailored meals that support their wellbeing. For those with sensory sensitivities, we ensure every meal is carefully crafted to suit individual needs.

The Dietetic Team collaborates closely with the Catering Team to ensure that every meal accommodates diverse tastes, cultural preferences, and dietary requirements, offering personalised and inclusive options for all.

Our menu features comforting favourites like Sunday roast, alongside more adventurous options from around the world.

We provide a core of recognisable favourites but also offer exciting dishes, such as different curries, enchiladas or chicken peri-peri. In addition to our home cooked dishes, we also have a selection of favourite foods that are available every day like chicken nuggets and burgers.

Our menu was designed with the input of service users and ward staff to ensure that we are offering the foods that young people prefer.

At Red Kite View, we believe in making food both nourishing and enjoyable, creating a balance of nutrition and flavour in every meal.