Scotland’s Health and Social Care Secretary joined a group of older people for lunch to see how a pop-up cafe is playing its part in tackling malnutrition and loneliness.
Neil Gray visited Food Train’s community hub in Dumfries town centre on Wednesday, where a group aged 65 and over gather for a chat and a bite to eat every week.
They are among about 200 local people who benefit from the charity’s Older People’s Meals Project each week.
It sees meals freshly cooked in Food Train’s kitchen and either enjoyed in the Wednesday pop-up cafe at English Street or delivered to their homes, including those at three sheltered housing complexes in the town.
The initiative is possible thanks to funding from the Scottish Government’s Communities, Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, which is administered in the region by Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway.
It is built into Food Train’s wider work to improve the health and happiness of older people across the region by ensuring they are able to enjoy good food and company.
Speaking after his private visit and chatting with older people at the pop-up cafe, Mr Gray said: “I thank Food Train’s volunteers and staff for their vital work preventing malnutrition and loneliness in thousands of older people across Scotland and specifically here in Dumfries. It was a pleasure to hear at first hand how much they look forward to their weekly visit and the difference it makes to them.
“Older people are more likely to experience circumstances which contribute to poorer mental health, such as poverty, isolation and loneliness.
“The staff and volunteers at the pop-up cafe do a fantastic job of providing a warm and welcoming place where people can socialise while enjoying a hot meal.”
The pop-up cafe has been running since September 2023.
It not only helps reduce the risk of older people becoming malnourished by ensuring they have a nutritious meal, but also loneliness by creating a place for them to socialise.
Food Train, which was founded in Dumfries 30 years ago and works across Scotland, hopes to enhance the reach of the cafe by using a new minibus to bring more older people to it.
Rosie McLuskie, the charity’s Chief Executive, said: “For some of our older people, their trip to the pop-up cafe is the only time in a week that they get to leave their homes. Our cook, Maggie Ferrier, does some great lunches.
“It’s fantastic to see the real friendships which have grown among those who regularly come along – and it’s all made possible thanks to the funding we receive from Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway. By working together, we are improving the lives of older people.” More information about the Older People’s Meals Project is available by calling Food Train on 01387 270800.