“It’s not just the meal – it’s knowing someone cares”

More than 4,600 older people across Leeds found friendship, support and a hot meal at local lunch clubs, funded by Leeds Community Foundation and Leeds City Council’s Lunch Clubs grants.

91 clubs spent a year providing regular lunches in local neighbourhoods across the city, offering hot meals, activities and the chance for people to connect. And there were so many benefits.

They gave people places to go where they felt included, like they belonged. They gave people a reason to get out of the house and something to look forward to. They offered regular, affordable, nutritious meals. They brought people together. They created space for people to have conversations and share experiences, to exercise and play games. People had fun. They laughed. They felt more positive.

And the lunch clubs also created the chance for people to access other support they might need. Like health referrals, care assessments, housing support or home adaptations. People could see what else the organisations offered, and take part in even more – digital inclusion projects, memory cafes, activity groups.

It’s about so much more than just lunch.

Take Trinity Network. Their weekly club welcomed up to 85 people – many facing isolation, poor health and complex needs. They supported one of their members living with declining cognitive health to transition into supported accommodation. As a result, the member said “I’ve never been looked after as well as I am when I come here… I’d be lost without you.”

Someone who attended Moortown Baptist Day Centre’s lunch club said “It’s a nice day out, good company, laughter, a lovely lunch… a friendly, safe place.”

And one of Armley Helping Hands’ members shared her thoughts after they supported her with housing, healthcare referrals and financial assistance: “They got everything sorted… I look and feel well… I can’t tell you how much I appreciate what they have done for me.”

While it might start with lunch, what these clubs provide in our communities is so much more. They’re a support system, a listening ear, a safe space. And for some, a lifeline.

As one person said, “It’s not just the meal – it’s knowing someone cares.”

We’re proud to have funded lunch clubs in partnership with Leeds City Council’s Public Health team since 2016. And we’ve funded 87 clubs in 2026, so they can work in the heart of our communities for another year.