Preventative home care support is also about identifying the additional support needs of individuals and signposting them to additional and innovative ways in which they can have these needs met.  Often, these needs relate to nutrition and companionship.  Here we share one way in which home care and community initiatives can work in partnership to best support individuals.

Do you like the idea of a friendly neighbour bringing round a lovely home cooked meal and stopping in for a chat? If you do, then it is about time you heard about Meal Makers!

Meal Makers bring together people who love cooking and their community (‘Cooks’), with older neighbours who would appreciate having some delicious home-cooked food delivered to them (‘Diners’).  Meals are most commonly shared on a weekly basis, but they can occur fortnightly, monthly or just now and again – how often meals are shared, and when they are shared is decided between the Cook and Diner. There is no cost for receiving meals, the only cost associated with Meal Makers is a £5 annual membership fee.

The community food sharing project was originally launched as a pilot in Dundee in August 2014 and proved to be an instant hit across the city. It has since been launched in Glasgow, Perth and Kinross, Renfrewshire, Edinburgh, Stirling, Scottish Borders and North Ayrshire.

People across Scotland are loving being a part of Meal Makers, as they have been making great friends and eating delicious food through the project. If you are interested in joining Meal Makers then get in touch and they will match you with a Cook who likes the same food as you and lives within your local community, or if you would be happy to cook an extra portion and would like to volunteer please contact them on:

0800 783 7770 or [email protected]

Here is what some Cooks and Diners have to say about the project:

“Maggie makes some really delicious dishes, but it isn’t just about the food, it’s about friendship, too. It doesn’t sound like much, but it’s something I really look forward to each week. It’s strange to think that a year ago we didn’t know each other, yet now we’re good neighbours.” Pam – Diner

“I was so nervous when I delivered the first meal to my diner, Edith, in case she didn’t like it. In fact, she has turned out to be an adventurous diner who likes most of the same things as me despite our 60 year age gap!” Nancy – Cook

“What a great service meal makers is. I really enjoyed my chats with Rosaline and the food she is providing is fantastic.” Alice – Diner

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