A GROUP of volunteers who run a lunch club for some of Kendal’s most vulnerable people has been awarded the High Sheriff of Cumbria’s special recognition award.

The Lunch Bunch club has adapted during the pandemic to ensure their members are fed and well by delivering weekly meals.

The club usually brings together around 36 elderly residents at Kendal Parish church for food and activities.

The scheme is supported by Helen Pateman, Kate Tordoff and Gillian Cowburn from the People’s Café, Trudy Brayshaw and Alison Nicholson from Kendal Integrated Care Community (ICC) and Natalie Chapple, a local Carer.

Cara Stride, Kendal ICC Development Lead, said: “The project initially started with volunteers delivering monthly free hot meals to housebound and elderly members of the community.

“Our nursing team recognised that it would be a great idea to bring together the local residents in an effort to combat loneliness and so the Lunch Bunch idea was launched.

“Due to the pandemic, the service has had to go back to delivering meals to members of the community.

"Our volunteers are still checking in with them to make sure they are okay, we’ve had VE themed visits to raise their spirits and our regular newsletters have been distributed with useful information and support.

" Kendal ICC has also been working with the emergency planning group who have been tremendous and have donated items such as posies and bulbs for the residents to plant."

Gillian Cowburn said: “What's not to love about Lunch Bunch? It demonstrates perfectly the importance of food not only for health but also for social wellbeing.

“Lunch Bunch is a vital lifeline on every level. It has created lasting bonds of friendship and in terms of a feel-good factor for all involved, it’s off the scale.”

One member said: “Nice company. The food is delicious and it means I don’t have to cook. It gives me hope. You don’t realise the difference it makes to see someone smiling.”

ICC was created in 2016 to help bring together local health and care professionals. The focus of the ICC is to ensure that the people of Kendal are supported to improve their own health and wellbeing and that they receive the best possible joined-up care.