People from Biddulph are being encouraged to do something great with a plate to help out an older person this winter as part of a unique community food-sharing project. Winter puts many extra pressures on older people, preventing them from getting out, not eating properly and, with fewer visits from people, this can lead to social isolation and loneliness. But one scheme making a difference is Casserole Club.
It helps people to share extra portions of their home-cooked food with other people in the area, like older adults who find it difficult to cook their own meals. Cooks simply prepare a meal in their own home, popping a portion into a container and dropping it around later that day to an older neighbour they have been matched up with. Take Jez Holloway and Derrick Pearsall both from Staffordshire who’ve been sharing every week since last January and are really enjoying each other’s company. Derrick said: “Casserole Club is a great scheme and I’ve been very lucky being matched up with Jez. I really look forward to my meal each week and our chat.” Jez said: “I really enjoy cooking for Derrick and our chats when I drop off his meal. It’s such a simple scheme to join and doesn’t take up that much time at all. It’s also very rewarding, knowing that I’m able to help out an older person in my local neighbourhood.” Mark Sutton, Cabinet Support Member for Social and Health Care at Staffordshire County Council, said: “We’ve been very pleased with the success of Casserole Club so far and with over 500 Cooks now registered, it’s the perfect time for Diners to join. “We want people in Staffordshire to be healthier and happier, and tackling loneliness and isolation amongst older people remains a priority for us. Our goal is to connect Cooks and Diners through Casserole Club and show that good food and good neighbours go hand-in-hand to build stronger communities.” Casserole Club is being co-ordinated by Staffordshire County Council and FutureGov. If you fancy being a Cook or you know a diner who would benefit then you can join at www.casseroleclub.com or by calling 0300 111 8006.
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