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Reducing isolation and food poverty

Meal Makers project aims to cut health inequalities

A food sharing project that helps to reduce isolation and break down health inequalities has been formally launched by Maureen Watt, Minister for Public Health.

Meal Makers is a Scottish Government-funded project in Dundee, run by charity The Food Train. The scheme encourages people to cook an extra meal which can be given to isolated older people living in their communities. It is aimed at reducing food poverty, improving food access and breaking down the barriers that lead to loneliness.

Ms Watt attended an official launch event at Dundee City Chambers yesterday before visiting a sheltered housing scheme to meet some of the people who are taking part in the project – both and cooks and recipients of meals.

The Scottish Government has provided an initial £100,000 to set up the project over two years, match funded by the Rank Foundation. An online web platform has been set up to connect volunteers with older people who might benefit from an extra meal.

Once a ‘cook’ and ‘diner’ have been matched the cook will prepare an extra meal in their own home and deliver it to their diner at a time agreed by both parties. Meal shares can occur as often as the cook and diner would like - weekly, fortnightly or just occasionally.

Recipients of the meals will be identified by agencies who are in contact with older people, or will be able to register themselves.

Maureen Watt said:

“This is an innovative project that helps to tackle health inequality, food poverty and loneliness all at the same time. Getting people more involved in their communities is one of the best ways to improve mental wellbeing and break down some of the barriers that can lead to ill health, and that’s exactly what Meal Makers is all about.

“This might be a small pilot project, but it’s making a huge difference, and it was a pleasure to meet some of the cooks and diners who are taking part. What really struck me is that it isn’t just the recipients of the meals who benefit. Helping other people by getting involved in a scheme like this is a tremendous thing to do, and can really improve your quality of life.

“It is comforting to know, especially at Christmas, that there are people out there who are willing to extend the hand of friendship to those less fortunate than themselves.”

Meal Makers Project Leader Emma Black said:

“This is an exciting, rewarding project which brings people from different ages, backgrounds and cultures together. We are delighted with the number of volunteers who have signed up to cook so far, who are a mixture of local community people, and students attending Dundee University. We have a number of cooks and diners who are regularly sharing meals in communities across Dundee which is absolutely fantastic.”

The project is being run by the Food Train, a charity which provides befriending, household support and grocery shopping, with the help of Community Food and Health (Scotland), who work in low income communities to improve access and take-up of health diet. The scheme is currently running as a pilot scheme in Dundee.

Food Train CEO Michelle McCrindle said:

“Providing extra support with meals has been a long held ambition at Food Train and the Casserole Club neighbourhood meal sharing concept gave us the ideal solution. Our volunteers already deliver vital supplies of fresh foods and grocery items so progressing to meals for those most in need is a logical step and increases the social support and food intake of older people when they most need it. We are delighted to have the backing of the Scottish Government and Rank Foundation and are confident Meal Makers will be a great success, further improving the lives of older people in Scotland.”

Background:

Food Train was founded in Dumfries in 1995 by a group of older people, following a community survey which highlighted food poverty and food access problems among local older people. Their innovative volunteer led grocery shopping delivery service proved instantly popular and brought vital fresh food supplied to vulnerable older people in need. Since launching almost 20 years ago, Food Train has gone from strength to strength over the years expanding into 6 other regions in Scotland and offering other services which include household support, befriending and a library service and now supports over 1,600 older people in Scotland with over 600 volunteers.

To sign up as a cook please register on www.mealmakers.org.uk or contact 0800 783 7770 /hello@mealmakers.co.uk.

If you would like to sign up as a Diner or know someone who would really appreciate some home cooked food, then you should call Meal Makers on 0800 783 7770.

 

Channel website: http://www.gov.scot/

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