For older residents who live alone, shopping, planning, cooking, and even socialising can be difficult.

The Old Sawmill's 'lunch club' sets out to address this.

The lunch club is, at its most basic level, a meal delivery service for 125 residents in need across Congleton. Every Friday, come rain or shine, volunteers deliver a freshly prepared meal from the Sawmill to club members' homes. 

Still, to describe it in such a way is to lose sight of many other aspects of the club. 

Far from just delivering meals, the service is at once a social call, a helping hand, and a network of friends.

"It's so much more than lunches - that's just the door opener", says Co-op member pioneer Alison, who works closely with the Old Sawmill. 

"We've reset boilers, hung curtains, brought washing in, fixed hearing aids. Whatever that person needs - they know every Friday that there will be volunteers coming out to see them."

Occassionally, the Old Sawmill hosts communcal lunches, inviting some of the residents from their homes for a communal lunch (Image - Alasdair Perry)

Volunteer Mike adds: "Talking is the biggest thing. A lot of people I go to are on their own, so talking is amazing. 

"The lunch club is what gets us introduced to the people, but there's much more to it than just the food.

"Plus, people can come to the communal lunches and make new friends - get acquainted with some more people. The social aspect is just massive."

At one of the Old Sawmill's aforesaid communal lunches, it is clear that this much is true. These events are hosted for around 16 of the 125 residents on a regular, rotational basis. 

Club members receive a hot meal and the opportunity to have a chat and enjoy some company. 

Regular attendee Mark, for one, said it has made a 'huge difference'. Certainly, the communal lunches form an important part of the social calendar for many attendees, and are a means of making new friends. 

As a means of getting out, eating well, and staying socially active, then, the Old Sawmill's lunch club is invaluable.

Find more information HERE.

Co-op Membership helps support the company's national charity partners and Local Community Fund causes. Become a Co-op member here: https://www.coop.co.uk/membership.