A CHARITY has launched a new assisted shopping scheme to help older people retain their independence and make new friends.

As well as holding regular lunch club’s, Age UK County Durham has teamed up with Shildon Community Bus to offer affordable shopping trips in the Bishop Auckland area.

The accessible minibus with pick older people up from their homes and transport them to the supermarket. A team of the charity’s Come Eat Together volunteers will also be on hand to assist with all aspects of shopping, from providing help on and off the minibus and carrying heavy bags, to offering recipe ideas.

An Age UK County Durham spokesperson said: “Food shopping may be as simple as jumping in your car and heading to the local supermarket, but for some people over 50, this couldn’t be further from the truth. With a lack of transport and less choice in some areas, access to healthy food can be problematic. In response to this Age UK County Durham’s award winning Come Eat Together project is making shopping for food as easy as possible.”

The shopping club will run fortnightly on a Tuesday morning at a cost of £2.50 per trip. To find out more, contact 0191-374-6577 or cet@ageukcountydurham.org.uk. Come Eat Together is funded by the Big Lottery.