Age UK’s ‘Come Dine With Us’ project, which has been running as a pilot over the past 18 months in Shildon, Durham, Stanley, and Bishop Auckland, has been selected to receive a Big Lottery Fund Silver Dreams Flagship Grant.
A spokesperson for Age UK commented, “This is fantastic news for older people in County Durham. The grant will enable us to substantially increase our project’s activities and deliver it in new areas of the county. “Through the project we will be working to improve older people’s ability to access, grow, cook, and enjoy healthy food together, whilst raising awareness of what constitutes good nutrition as we get older. “The current health promotion messages such as low fat and small portions are not suitable for many older people who are underweight and may be at risk of malnutrition. “Our nutrition course, which includes a board game, has proved very popular and we are looking forward to rolling this out to reach more older people. “We are also taking this opportunity to rename our project. The new name will be ‘Come Eat Together’. “We will also have a new website at www.comeeattogether.org and a new email address; comeeattogether@ageukcountydurham.org.uk.”
There are two events held in Shildon each month. The Dine & Dance is held on the first Wednesday of the month at Shildon Civic Hall, costing £5 per person. Starting at 12 noon, the friendly Civic Hall staff serve a hot nutritious meal followed by tea / coffee and biscuits. After lunch, you can enjoy a couple of hours of live tea dance music with Graeme Scarlett playing plenty of well-known songs. Graeme also provides opportunities for people to learn dance steps from those who are more experienced.
Then, on the last Monday of the month, also from 12 noon, Clare and Jane at Platform 7 Cafe at Locomotion provide a warm welcome to older people to ‘Come Dine with Us’.It is £4.60 for a delicious hot meal with a dessert and freshly brewed tea or coffee.
The staff and volunteers at Locomotion then provide an exciting calendar of talks, Shildon5movies, museum tours and train rides to make each lunch club very special.
If you would like to take part, or for more information, contact Sara Collins at Age UK County Durham on 0191 374 0930.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
