We're using food to bring people together, build connection, combat loneliness, and increase food literacy in our community. We've shown that it works - now we need funding to keep it going!
Estimated Price
7000
The Rockfield Centre is owned and run by Oban Communities Trust, a Community Benefit Society run by and for its members and the wider community.
We are creating community through shared meals.This project is based on evidenced demand: over the past 3 months, we have held 7 community meals and served over 250 meals to a diverse and growing community. The concept is simple: healthful and affordable food, cooked well, and served in a welcoming, inclusive environment that facilitates introductions, friendship-building, and a sense of community. Attendees tell us that they most enjoy the opportunity to meet new people and share an affordable, healthy meal in an open-minded, inclusive, and welcoming environment. The meals are currently cooked by volunteers, overseen by a volunteer meal coordinator, with ingredient costs covered by a small charge made on each meal (£5 per person, with free meals offered to local service users).
What will your project do?Following a 3 month pilot to demonstrate demand, we are seeking funding to roll out a program of community suppers which use shared meals to create community, foster a sense of belonging, increase wellbeing, and fight loneliness. The next phase of our plan is to incorporate saved food (through the FareShare program) and introduce recipe sheets and cooking workshops to increase awareness of healthful, budget-friendly cooking methods. To allow us to continue sustainably in Phase 1 and and progress into Phase 2 , we need a project coordinator (0.2 FTE) to facilitate our volunteer cooks and oversee the marketing, planning, and budgeting of each event. This would allow us to welcome more volunteers and focus on translating the budget-friendly, healthy aspects of our meals into freely available recipe sheets and workshops.
Why is your project needed?Our meals aren’t just about feeding people - they are about nourishing the whole community through belonging, connection, and education.
Combat loneliness: By offering companionship to people who might be socially isolated, especially the elderly, people who are new to the area, and those living alone.
Creating bonds: Sharing food fosters a sense of belonging, strengthens relationships, and encourages mutual support.
Cultural exchange: Community meals often bring together diverse groups, allowing the sharing of traditions, recipes, and cultural practices - for example our Dahl night, with a Scottish-Indian storyteller in attendance.
Support for food-Insecure individuals: Our meals provide essential nutrition to those who might not afford healthy food regularly.
Promote healthy eating: Our meals are balanced meals and have introduced people to new, healthy food options and preparation methods.
Reduce waste: Moving forward, our meals will use surplus food that would otherwise go to waste (via FareShare).
Cooking skills: We will offer demonstrations and workshops on cooking and nutrition, alongside our meals.
Public education: These meals will become platforms for promoting healthier lifestyle choices.
Encourage volunteering: Volunteers get involved by cooking, serving, and organizing these meals, strengthening community involvement. Several new volunteers have come forward specifically wishing to be involved in the community meals program, capturing a different sector of the community than that which normally takes part in such events.
Fosters shared responsibility: Shared meals help foster a culture of care and cooperation in our community.
How long will your project run for? Following a successful 3-month pilot, we now wish to roll this out as a permanent, long-term program. We require £7000 per year to run the program, to provide a minimum of 2 community meals and 2 accompanying cooking workshops per month. This offering may be increased subject to demand and capacity.
