A new monthly initiative to tackle loneliness and food poverty in Dumfries was launched this week.
Galloway Cheddar’s pilot scheme at the Summerhill Community Centre looks set to make Mac N’ Cheese Mondays a firm favourite.
The centre is run by a learning and development charity which provides education, sports and leisure, social and environmental activities.
On Monday, nearly 120 people, including members of the Young at Heart Club for the over 50s, had the chance to meet new friends over a delicious meal.
Annemarie Coulter, volunteer community development
co-ordinator at the centre, said: “This is such a fantastic idea from Galloway Cheddar to support our communities.
“Creating opportunities for social gatherings and bringing people of all ages together to chat, enjoy a hot homemade meal and socialise in a relaxed and friendly environment can really help to overcome loneliness and improve people’s health and wellbeing.”
It has also won approval from the community.
Margaret Snoxhill, 71, from Dumfries, said: “When I moved up to Scotland from Surrey I didn’t really know anyone, except for friends and family.
“I signed up to the exercise group at the Summerhill Community Centre and really enjoyed myself, so continued to come on a regular basis and since then I have also been helping other people where I can – especially with the cooking, which is something I love to do.
“I’ve been coming here for five years now, and I really enjoy taking part in all the different activities and making new friends and feeling part of the community. It is a very special place.”
Seventeen-year-old Connor Donowho, also from Dumfries, gave the scheme the thumbs up.
He said: “Growing up in the area I have seen first-hand the effects poverty and isolation can have on young people and the centre plays a big role in helping us support those going through hard times.
“I am now one of the centre leaders and love seeing the positive impact the place has on the children and young people that attend, as well as for myself.
“I really enjoy the social life aspect of coming here, which is why I was excited to be part of the Mac N’ Cheese Monday, as I know what a difference bringing people together can make.”
The initiative is also piloting at the Fed Up community café in Stranraer.
Both centres were given ingredient packs to help supply the meals, which included Galloway Cheddar’s red cheddar, as well as materials to decorate the venues to ensure a warm and friendly setting.
The events also raised £1,335, which will go towards work tackling social isolation, loneliness and food poverty.
