Charities providing 60 meals a day as demand rises

The scheme is now providing 60 meals a day

Organisations in County Durham have been working together to deliver free hot meals to older people this winter.

Age UK County Durham, Shildon Alive and Jubilee Fields Community Centre have been operating a hot meals scheme since September 2023.

Initially 30 people took up the offer of meals that were being cooked by Tracy Chapel and her team of volunteers at Shildon Alive.

This number has now doubled and the scheme is providing 60 meals per day.

But Age UK County Durham and partners are concerned even more people will need the service as the winter goes on.

The scheme is running during the winter months for over-50s who are struggling financially, are vulnerable, or socially isolated, until the end of March 2024.

'Massive uptake'

Tracy Chapel, a food coordinator based at Age UK in Shildon, said she was amazed at how many people used the service.

She said there was a "massive uptake after the initial month, as word had clearly got around”.

The scheme serves "nourishing food" such as liver and onions, roast chicken and pork, with cakes and tarts for pudding, said Ms Chapel.

But she is worried that the hardest part of winter has not hit yet, and anticipates more people needing the service.

The scheme was dependent on the "hard work" of volunteers, Ms Chapel said, and added that the job was "so rewarding."

People who are eligible for the service are advised to contact Shildon Town Council.

Hilary Jamieson, programme manager at Age UK County Durham said: "We are delighted to work in partnership with Shildon Town Council, Shildon Alive, and Jubilee Fields Community Centre to provide this vital support to the local community.

"The service is one of a number of projects, funded by the Household Support Fund, that Age UK County Durham is delivering to support people aged 50+ across County Durham though the cost of living crisis during the colder months."