Food shopping may be as simple as jumping in your car and heading to the local supermarket, but for some people over 50, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

With a lack of transport and less choice in rural areas, access to healthy food can be problematic.

In response to this, Age UK County Durham’s award winning Come Eat Together project is making shopping for food as easy as possible.

The team has been working together with Shildon Community Bus to offer affordable shopping trips in their accessible minibuses to older people in Bishop Auckland.

The trips aren’t just a ride to the shops. Members get the added bonus of a door-to-door service, a wider variety of shops, help with heavy bags as well as plenty of time to stop off for a cuppa and a chat.

These regular trips to supermarkets are making a huge difference to older people in the town who have difficulty shopping for food.

One of the members commented, “We enjoy the trips and appreciate the help from staff and the driver. I would have struggled to get a lot of shopping otherwise.”

Another regular shopper stated, “I enjoy the trips. I had not been able to get to the supermarket in six weeks. I also received extra help with my shopping whilst in the store, which was much appreciated.”

A team of dedicated and friendly Come Eat Together volunteers are on-hand to assist with all aspects of shopping. This can range from assistance on and off the bus and help lifting heavy bags, to support around the store.

Bishop Auckland Shopping Club runs fortnightly on a Tuesday morning at a cost of £2.50 per trip. To take part in the club, find out more for a friend or neighbour or to become a volunteer who helps people with their shopping, contact the Come Eat Together Team on 0191 374 6577 or email cet@ageukcountydurham.org.uk.

The Come Eat Together project is funded by the Big Lottery Silver Dreams Fund.