Using our Community Investment Fund to provide meals for our independent living community
Tenants and local residents have been enjoying healthy home-cooked food – all in a safe, communal setting.
We have awarded The Larder £4,625 from our Community Investment Fund to deliver cooking classes, followed by a community cafe at our independent living scheme, Martinfield, in Penwortham. The project is for six months and will run until the end of October.
The Larder is a social enterprise, promoting healthy, locally sourced food. Volunteers cook the food and local residents pay a small donation to eat the food and socialise.
Kay Johnson, from The Larder, said: “There are so many benefits to this – our volunteers not only learn new skills but also grow in confidence.
"We have a fantastic team, including some brilliant volunteers from Crossways Adult Disability Day Services in Leyland who are great at chopping vegetables and helping with the washing up.
“It also gives both volunteers and residents a place to chat and meet other people.
“And of course, the local residents can come and enjoy the food. They tell us what they want to eat and we try to get as much fresh, locally grown produce as possible. For example, this week we made a vegetable lasagne using courgettes from my garden and for the fruit crumble, we used blackberries we picked and apples from a tree at Martinfield.
“We cook vegetarian meals so it is inclusive and keeps the meals affordable.
“We want to thank our volunteers for their support and Progress Housing Group for supporting with funding.”
Louise, whose mum is a Progress Housing Group tenant, is one of the volunteers.
She told us: “I volunteer to get out of my house and to improve my mental health. I think it is good that Progress supports things like this as other people might be struggling so it is nice for everyone to come together.
“I think other housing associations should look at doing something similar.”
Bill, a Martinfield tenant, grows apples which regularly contribute to The Larder’s meals.
He said: “I come as it is easy and I live on my own. The quality of food is really good and it is great Progress has supported this.”
June, a Martinfield tenant, said: “I think it is the best thing since sliced bread. I like coming here.”
Pat, a tenant with another housing association, said: “I come with my friend because I like the company and it is something different. It is better than sitting in on my own. It is nice to be part of a community and make new friends.”
• If you would like to find out about the Community Investment Fund you can find more details on our website Funding for community groups and projects | Progress Housing Group or contact the Customer Voice Team at community@progressgroup.org.uk.
