HASWELL Catering Services has secured £10,000 from the Coalfields Community Investment Programme.

The funds will be used to launch a new weekly lunch club and programme of activities, including armchair aerobics, music workshops and information, advice and guidance sessions for older members of the community, including those living with dementia.

Securing the maximum grant awarded, Haswell Catering Services can now increase the number of vulnerable people that it engages with across the district.

Hayley Hood, managing director of Haswell Catering Services, said: “We cannot thank the Coalfields Regeneration Trust enough. The organisation has supported us over the years and through the funding that they provide through the CCIP we can deliver projects such as the new lunch club.

“We know that eating in a community setting plays an important role and creates the opportunity for social interaction. Not only does this benefit our service users’ general health but also their social well-being, which is particularly important.”

As part of the project, armchair aerobics will take place each week, improving the flexibility of those that take part, while also strengthening muscle and balance, reducing joint pain and stiffness, and increasing blood circulation, mood and concentration. This activity has also been proven to be relaxing and to help to relieve stress levels.

Furthermore, music workshops will be used to help people to unlock memories, with research showing that this approach can work well with people that suffer from dementia and other age-related illnesses.

Head of Operations (England) for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Andy Lock, said: “This project is just one example of the fantastic work that is delivered by not for profit organisations within our coalfield communities. In this instance, people with dementia can socialise with others to help them to avoid mental health conditions or isolation, which are often prevalent with older residents.

“It is important that we help people to remain as independent as possible as they live with conditions such as dementia. Through activities such as chess, and simply by eating lunch together, it makes a huge difference.”

The coalfields community investment programme supports organisations and programs of activity that meet there three key criteria; to address skills, employment and health.

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust was established in 1999 and it is the only organisation that is dedicated to supporting former mining towns and villages.

Over the years more than two million people have benefited from support given by the organisation. They have crated or safe guarded jobs for 5,400 people, more than 25,500 people have been supported into work, they have helped over 1.3 million people gain new skills, accesses training and achieve qualifications, also they have provided opportunities for 225,500 people to take part in health and wellbeing activities.

For more information about the coalfields regeneration trust, visit www.coalfields-regen.org.uk