A Milton Keynes care home will be opening its doors to people in the community to help tackle loneliness.
Ashby House in Eaglestone, Milton Keynes, is inviting elderly people who might usually eat alone to join residents and teams every Friday lunch time between 12:30 and 1:30 for a three course meal.
Diners will be treated to a tasty lunch in the home’s dining room.
Guests will have a chance to chat to the home’s staff and residents while enjoying their food, and will be able to partake in various activities with those at the home after their meal.
The home’s Head Chef will be producing a range of dishes to cover varied individual dietary needs and preferences, so diners were able to eat to their fill accompanied with a wide selection of beverages.
The ‘Don’t Dine Alone’ initiative was launched by care provider Barchester Healthcare as a way to reach out to isolated or vulnerable members of their local communities.
Barchester Healthcare is also behind Barchester’s Charitable Foundation, which is a registered charity that gives grants to older people and other adults with a disability to help combat loneliness and enable people to be active and engaged in the communities where the Barchester care homes operate.
Francesca Fosu, General Manager at Ashby House, , said: “Loneliness can be a big problem for elderly people, especially as the weather gets colder. Our doors are always open to new friends of the home.”
Ashby House Care Home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals.
Ashby House provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care, and respite care for 64 residents from respite care to long term stays.
