PEOPLE receiving support whilst recovering from mental illness were among the first to sample a new lunch menu at a community restaurant.

Tenants from Broadacres’ Leyburn Lodge supported housing scheme gave the thumbs up to the lunch served at Kirkwood Hall.

The visit was arranged as part of the upcoming ‘Starts at Home Day 2018’, a national event taking place today (Friday, August 31) which is aimed at highlighting the difference supported housing makes to thousands of people across the UK.

It was also an opportunity for Kirkwood Hall, an extra care housing scheme also run by Broadacres in Leyburn, to showcase its community restaurant and new seasonal menu which was recently launched.

Sarah Beniams, Broadacres’ Mental Health Scheme manager, said: “The tenants at Leyburn Lodge really enjoyed their visit to Kirkwood Hall.

“Leyburn Lodge provides housing and other related support to enable people with mental health issues to recover and reintegrate into the community, so this visit has played an important part in their continued rehabilitation.

Michelle Mottershead, Manager of Kirkwood Hall, said: “We were delighted to welcome the Leyburn Lodge tenants and we are glad they enjoyed their meal.

“The restaurant within Kirkwood Hall is open to all members of the community and with the launch of our new seasonal-based menu, we hope it encourages even more people to pop in for a bite to eat..”

To mark Starts at Home Day, Broadacres has invited key stakeholders, including local councillors and commissioners, to visit Leyburn Lodge on Friday. They will meet staff and tenants before going to Kirkwood Hall for refreshments.