One hundred pensioners and vulnerable people in Leicester are being offered a free Christmas lunch as part of a project to ensure people feel less isolated this winter.
The community event, run as part of the
#DMUlocal programme, aims to create a network of support to people living alone and hopefully create a new social group that can continue beyond the festive period.
The Community Christmas Lunch is the latest project by De Montfort University's Square Mile Programme which works to connect the university with the community.
The Lord Mayor of Leicester Ted Cassidy is supporting the project and has agreed to attend.
There will be a festive lunch, carols and live entertainment as well as crackers, music and refreshments.
DMU Public Engagement manager Mark Charlton said: "This was an idea brought to us from the community, that there is concern that many elderly people feel particularly isolated at this time of year. Our staff and students have been really keen to put this together and working with our community partners LCIL and the Real Junk Food Project we have been able to put this together.
"We have secured some funding to help people get to and from the event if they need transport, so we have a real opportunity to put on a superb event for those who wish to attend. We have also taken advice from Age UK representatives that these social gathering should be continued beyond Christmas so participants don't go back to feeling isolated after the Christmas period."
The Community Christmas Lunch takes place on Friday December 11, at the West End Neighbourhood Centre in Andrewes Street, Leicester, from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Transport will be provided for those who require it. Spaces are limited to 100. To book a space or to ask for further details, please call 0116 257 7102.
Posted on Thursday 26 November 2015