Care home opens restaurant doors to tackle loneliness
Lawton Manor Care Home invite the local community to join their residents for a meal every Wednesday
- Published
A care home has invited nearby residents to join them for dinner in a bid to tackle loneliness.
Lawton Manor in Church Lawton, Cheshire, has introduced 'Don't Dine Alone' - a scheme where the community can eat with the residents for free.
Residents have said they appreciate seeing new faces and a care assistant said it gave their neighbours a chance to get a flavour of what happens at the home.
One couple who took the home up on their offer described the experience as being "like a holiday.”
Dinner is served! Pull up a chair and hear the impact the scheme is having in Stoke-on-Trent
Chloe Cameron, head of activities at the home, said she wanted people to be able to make new friends.
"We're helping get people involved, get them out about more and it's always nice to have a good meal and not have to do the dishes afterwards."
The home has also offered to pick people up who are unable to make the journey themselves.
Ivor Simmons said it was good to meet new people and have a chat
Resident Ivor Simmons, 99, was keen to meet new people.
"It's a good idea to have someone in and have a chat - they might have a fantastic background," he said.
Trevor and Kate Knight who took up the invitation said they hoped others take inspiration from the initiative.
"There are many lonely people. Those who are not lonely shouldn't just be happy that they're not lonely but consider those who are," said Mr Knight.