Inverness project tackling social isolation by providing good food and company celebrates 1st year
A buzz of catch-up conversations and friendly greetings resound around the cafe at Hilton Community Centre in Inverness
At one table, a group of young mums keep their energetic toddlers distracted while at other tables folk of all ages await lunch with anticipation as a team of volunteers busily prepares a birthday feast.
On the menu is celebration soup, a selection of sandwiches and hot pastries, sweet and savoury scones and a selection of cakes including a specially-baked birthday cake.
It is one year since Inverness Foodstuff - a community-run venture tackling food poverty and social isolation - expanded its work from Ness Bank Church into Hilton.
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In addition to its Ness Bank operation where it provides meals three days a week for homeless and other vulnerable people, it is now providing meals and advisory services at Hilton to about 50 people each Wednesday and Friday - serving a total of 5295 lunches in its first year of operation.
The Hilton project, which is being carried out in partnership with High Life Highland, is supported with £72,000 of funding from the Scottish Government’s Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund over three years.
The Hilton lunches bring together a mix of ages, many citing the social aspect as a major benefit.
Chloe Manson is among a group of young mums and their youngsters who go along each week. There are four of them, each with a toddler, at the birthday lunch but sometimes there have been 14 around the table.
“We have been coming along the whole time since it started,” Chloe says.
“It is the social aspect - we get to sit down together and have a chat and a laugh and good food while the kids get to play together. It is filling a gap.
“We would probably still meet up but this is a comfortable safe space. The kids can run about and you don’t have to worry. The staff and volunteers are fantastic.”
All the mums agree that the cost-of-living is having an impact.
“Everything is so expensive,” says Chloe, citing the prices of nappies and milk.
She has been able to take children’s clothes donated to the project.
“It takes that pressure off,” she says.
At another table, a group of ladies who come along each week have grabbed their seats in good time .
“I come along for the company,” says one of them, Gracie, as the others nod in agreement.
“I didn’t know any of these ladies before but I now feel they are my friends.”
Another says if the lunch club did not exist, she would probably sit at home.
“I would encourage other people to come along,” she said.
It takes two bus journeys for Lorraine Fraser to get to the lunch club each Friday.
“I enjoy coming along and I enjoy the company,” she said.
“I like meeting new people and a mix of ages.”
Bill Lewthwaited (71), whose wife passed away, goes along twice a week.
“I go along for the companionship and food,” he said.
“It is an event. If you live alone, it can be a quiet week.”
The initiative also provides access to other services and advice from other organisations.
The social enterprise, Red Chair Highland, for example, offers digital inclusion services to digitally excluded, isolated and vulnerable individuals while the Citizens Advice Bureau is also on hand to offer help.
As well as a part-time employee, funded through the Highland Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, the project relies on local volunteers.
Chairman of Inverness Foodstuff Stuart Black said the organisation was delighted to have been able to provide over 5000 lunches for Hilton residents at a time when many people are struggling financially with the cost-of-living crisis..
“The lunches have also proved to be a great way to bring people together, helping to combat social isolation and loneliness,” he said.
“Inverness Foodstuff is much more than just a meal.
We are very grateful to a number of organisations who have helped us including Red Chair Highland, the Citizens Advice Bureau, the Care and Learning Alliance, Highland Council’s housing service and the Calman Trust.”
Steve Walsh, chief executive of Highlife Highland and Inverness Foodstuff board member, said: “You only have to visit Hilton Community Centre on any Wednesday or Friday lunchtime to hear the friendly buzz of conversation and see the happy faces of people enjoying good food and the opportunity to be together.
“Social isolation and loneliness can have a serious detrimental effect on both health and wellbeing, and it knows no age or boundaries.
“It’s great to see all ages from babies to grannies and grandads enjoying each other’s company and receiving support from a variety of agencies in the community centre”.
Anyone who is interested in being a volunteer is welcome to go along, or contact Inverness Foodstuff at invernessfoodstuff@gmail.com.
