ELDERLY residents on Bournemouth’s Townsend estate are assured of at least one hot meal a week this winter, thanks to a new project being funded by Age UK.

Nutritional meals will be cooked at the Jewell Road community centre and delivered to the elderly free of charge during December and January.

Assistant community liaison officer Caroline Abbis said: “Older residents will receive a two-course meal at lunchtime on Thursdays during the coldest months of the year, when they are needed most, except during the Christmas period.

“The neighbourhood worker and local volunteers will deliver the meals to homes and meals can also be served at the community centre where they will be cooked.”

Volunteers will also offer a befriending service to ensure the well-being of the older residents they visit and any issues raised will be referred to the appropriate service. Home cooked meals will also be provided during a Christmas party at the community centre on Thursday, December 20.

Townsend community centre chairperson Claire Geraghty said: “The winter meal project is vital; it may provide the only hot meals some of our older residents will enjoy during the winter months. Some elderly people don’t see their families over the festive period so there is a real need for this complimentary service.”

Meanwhile the Dorset charity LINks is helping tackle fuel poverty by donating funds to Dorset Energy Advice Centre to help residents on how to deal with fuel poverty.

Bournemouth’s LINks’ development officer, Boscombe councillor Chris Wakefield, said: “Families should not have to choose between food and heating. We must provide help, in certain circumstances, to ensure the health of members of our local communities.”

If you know an elderly Townsend resident who would benefit from receiving a free meal, once a week, during December and January contact Caroline Abbis on 01202 451165 or email caroline.abbis@bournemouth.gov.uk For more information about DEAC visit deac.co.uk or phone LINks on 0300 111 0102.