Hove lunch club reaches out to community

A lunch club in Hove is offering people with learning disabilities a healthy, nutritious meal every Thursday – and also a chance to volunteer and learn new skills.

The Hove Luncheon Club was set up five years ago by local resident Caroline Henderson.

Their Tuesday club offering food and friendship to older people proved so popular that they now also run a Thursday club aimed at people with learning disabilities and older people who feel isolated.

The Thursday club receives a grant from Brighton & Hove City Council and works closely with the council’s social care teams.

The club has been so successful that Caroline is now applying for charitable status to help it expand further.

Caroline said: “We thought it would be nice to create a safe, friendly space where people with learning disabilities could come and meet new people, learn new skills, be part of a team and get a great meal.

“For the people who volunteer for us I think it gives them a sense of purpose doing something valuable and useful.”

Volunteer Flo Singleton said: “I live on my own, and I know that when I come here I’m going to have a good feed-up and a good laugh.”

Jenny Hanbury of the council’s supported employment team said: “One of the unique points about this club is that it is open to people with learning disabilities and older people.

“This has broken down barriers between the two groups, created community cohesion and shown that funding can be used effectively to focus on more than one vulnerable group at a time."

For further information about the Hove Luncheon Club, or to offer your support, please email cookingcaroline@outlook.com or phone Caroline Henderson on 07813 667857.