RBH launches new catering service with Hallowe'en supper

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) tenants got a taste of Hallowe’en at the launch event for a new hot meal service for RBH's sheltered housing schemes.

Catering service KFS are working with RBH to provide a new hot meal service for sheltered scheme tenants; the service provides a two-course meal at an affordable price, and encourages residents to help combat isolation and loneliness by eating together in the communal lounge.

A Hallowe’en-themed launch party was held at Clough Court in Middleton, with residents from Tonge Court and Norman Weall Court also coming together to enjoy a meat and potato pie supper, finished off with home-made apple pie and custard.

Residents gave the meal the thumbs-up. One resident, Sally, said: "I have had a lovely evening. It’s nice to have company at tea time and the food was lovely"

Another resident, Roland, said: "I enjoyed the food and the social side, it’s nice to sit and have a chat with people while you’re eating"

The evening was so well-received that residents have asked for the service to be run on a Thursday and Sunday tea-time, and arrangements are being made to start this as soon as possible.

Rachel Saunders, RBH Sheltered Housing Activity Co-ordinator, said: "This is a great idea, and I have encouraged the residents from the three schemes to come together and enjoy having a social evening once a week. This service will help reduce isolation, and improve health and wellbeing"

Stephen Hudson, KFS Catering Services spokesperson, said: "We had a great turnout for the first event at Clough Court, and the homemade meat & potato pie supper and the opportunity to socialise was enjoyed by all who attended. It would be great to see more residents come along and take up the opportunity to enjoy a fresh cooked meal and a chat"