Indoor market helps elderly residents

Concerned with the need to ensure older people had access to a balanced diet that did not break the bank, the market operates one day a month - usually the last Thursday - and offers fresh produce and home bakes, as well as a small range of soft drinks.

It is operated by community worker Mildred Garfield, winner of this year’s Woman of the Year title, who is convinced that offering goods for sale at a reduced cost will have a positive impact on the wellbeing of the people she helps care for.

“We set the market up a couple of months ago as a pilot scheme, with the aim of trying it out to see if people would find it helpful. We have found it to be very successful so we decided to expand it a bit more other produce including home baked cakes and buns and soft drinks.

“We operate it once a month and sell produce to those coming in to take part in the Luncheon Club. We were lucky to find a local wholesaler from whom we get all our fresh produce. It means we are able to sell the fruit and vegetables at an affordable price to the older people and we also know that they are getting good food, and it also means that their pensions are able to stretch that little bit further,” said Mildred, adding: “Everything we get is fresh and any money we make is being put back into the Luncheon Club.”

Caw Luncheon Club, which has around 60 regular members and meets three days every week, has suffered a setback, as it’s funding ended on March 31, and anyone who can help the group is asked to get in touch with Lorraine McCready on 07840003786.