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 team has been working together with Shildon Community Bus to offer affordable shopping trips in their accessible minibuses to older people in Newton Aycliffe.
The trips aren’t just a ride to the shops. Members get the added bonus of a door to door service, a wider variety of shops, help with heavy bags as well as plenty of time to stop off for a cuppa and a chat.
These regular trips to supermarkets are making a huge difference to older people in other areas who have difficulty shopping for food. Here’s what some members from other shopping clubs have to say,
“We enjoy the trips and appreciated the help from staff and the driver. I would have struggled to get a lot of shopping otherwise”.
“I enjoy the trips. I had not been able to get to the supermarket in six weeks. I also received extra help with my shopping whilst in the store, which was much appreciated”.
A team of dedicated and friendly Come Eat Together volunteers are on hand to assist with all aspects of shopping. This can range from assistance on and off the bus and help lifting heavy bags, to support around the store.
The Come Eat Together Shopping Club will be running fortnightly on a Friday morning from the 27th May at a cost of £4.00 per trip. To take part in the shopping club, find out more for a friend or neighbour please contact the Come Eat Together team on 0191 374 6577 or e-mail: cet@ageukcountydurham.org.uk.
The Come Eat Together project is funded by the Big Lottery Silver Dreams Fund.
ED: This scheme is separate from the one set up by Dorothy Bowman who runs a service on similar lines purely for Aycliffe residents. Newton Aycliffe Shopping Club – Every Friday 10.30am, pick up and return to your door. Ring 01325 308094 or 07967 901477 to book.
