A SOCIAL club has teamed up with a community interest company to provide a warm friendly place for people who are struggling or home alone to get a free hot meal and to socialise.

The ALT Group held the first of a series of weekly community meals at the Blackhill Comrades Club in Blackhill, Consett, last night (Thursday).

The offer has been possible after the club secured £10,000 from the Big Lottery Fund to help extend and modernise its kitchens. The club also raised a further £7,000 toward the refurbishment.

The community meal is the brainchild of club committee member and ALT director Terri Lee-Shield, who was moved to do something to address the rise in food poverty, while generating a renewed community spirit.

Miss Lee-Shield, 32, said: “We have been fundraising for a couple years to get the kitchen done. Committee member Jane Ferguson was instrumental in securing the lottery grant.

“The free meals are part of campaign called Heat and Eat run by the club. Our aim is to provide a hot, nutritious, three-course meal, with a vegetarian option in a warm environment, where people can socialise as well.

“We found a lot of people in the area might be struggling with the rise in foodbanks – and people having to choose between heating their home or eating a proper meal.

“A lot of people in the area, specially the elderly, are living alone and tend to spend a lot of time by themselves."

She added: “Everyone is welcome to the community meals. They don’t have to be in financial difficulties.

“It is even for people who work long hours and would like to have a night off cooking to spend some time meeting new friends and their neighbours.

“Families and children are welcome too. It will be alcohol free.”

Food is supplied by donations from local businesses, including Maddison’s Coffee Bar and Bistro, , Sweethart Coffee and Cakes Cafe, Lanchester Dairies, Donaghy’s market stall and Derwent Valley Eggs.

The meals are free, but donations of cash and food will be invited.

The Community Meal is served from 6pm to 8pm every Thursday at the club in Ridley Sreet, Blackhill, Consett.

More more information about donating food or volunteering visit www.thealtgroup@weebley.com.