Maasai warriors came to Watford last week to celebrate the launch of a new cookery group aimed at promoting mental health.

Members of the nomadic Kenyan tribe attended 'Spiced in Watford - The Cooking Experience' , which was held at Clarendon Road's Holiday Inn on Friday evening, May 10. 

Watford Observer: Founder Eva Mbiru and MP Dean Russell at the launch event.Founder Eva Mbiru and MP Dean Russell at the launch event. (Image: UKENTV)The six-week series was set up by Eva Mbiru, founder of Kenyan Women in Hertfordshire Association, to provide a space for women struggling with their mental health to cook dishes together from their different cultural backgrounds.

“Strength lies in our ability to lift each other,” Eva said. “The event is a launch of series of cooking experience where women from the community regardless of cultural background religion or gender struggling with mental well-being will  bravely unite."

It will see them share their cooking skills and  "experiences  of resilience, empathy, and hope to illuminate the path towards healing and making them feel worthy of being alive”.Watford Observer: A Maasai warrior and MP Dean Russell.A Maasai warrior and MP Dean Russell. (Image: UKENTV)

Local police officers attended to take part in a panel discussion around mental health, as well as Watford MP Dean Russell, who said: “Eva has worked so hard to organise such a wonderful course, which I know will go from strength to strength. 

Watford Observer: MP Dean Russell and Watford police officers at the launch event.MP Dean Russell and Watford police officers at the launch event. (Image: MP Dean Russell)“Depression and mental health issues often lead individuals to withdraw from society, and this will really help so many people.”