Age UK County Durham and partners serve hot meals across the county
FROM January 2025, Age UK County Durham has expanded its ‘Hot Meals’ campaign to
deliver more healthy warming meals each week, helping those across the county who find
themselves having to choose between ‘heating and eating’.
Age UK County Durham secured £70,000 funding from the Government’s Household
Support Fund and is now working with ten partner organisations across County Durham to
deliver hot meals. The campaign builds on the success of a similar project run with four
partner organisations last winter. Hilary Jamieson, Programme Manager for Age UK County
Durham, commented: “We hear almost daily about how older people in our communities
are struggling this winter, choosing between turning the heating on or making a hot meal.
We’re thrilled to be able to work together the county’s charity and community operators to
make a real difference. Our community partners have the invaluable local knowledge, so
can ensure that these meals are reaching the people who really need them.”
The campaign was launched initially, before Christmas, in Newton Aycliffe, Pelton, Teesdale,
Shildon and Shotton. Since the beginning of January, it has expanded to include Easington,
Blackhall, Quebec, Weardale and Horden. The ten community partners identify
beneficiaries, and then prepare the meals, before either distributing the meals to homes or
serving in community premises, meaning the campaign is having the added benefit of
helping to reduce social isolation. The beneficiaries, who are not means tested, receive a
two course hot meal, free of charge, with Age UK County Durham funding the community
partners to provide the meals.
Simon Day, Trustee of Junction 7 in Newton Aycliffe, who works with his wife and fellow
Trustee Jane Day and their team of volunteers, recognises the difference the meals are
making. He commented: “We see the impact of the hot meals in so many different ways.
There are some people who are not well enough to cook any longer for whom this is the
best meal of the week. We also deliver to a supported living facility where the residents eat
together so there’s a clear social benefit too. In fact with each meal delivered, our
volunteers take time and stop for a chat with the recipient.
“Age UK County Durham is providing a life line to many with this funding. Whilst our older
generation here in Newton Aycliffe is benefitting from the healthy meals, we are also
benefitting as more and more people hear of what Junction 7 does, and have come forward
to volunteer and help us out.”
Age UK County Durham is the ‘go to’ organisation for anyone aged 50 or over living in
County Durham. It is a stand-alone registered charitable organisation, and a brand partner
of Age UK.
