New Barnes Day Centre Partnership Will Provide Rich Menu Of Activities But Lunch Needs To Be A Key Ingredient

11.28.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 28th Jun 2004

Susan Kramer, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Richmond Park

The new partnership between Age Concern, FiSH and the Barnes Community Association is great news for Barnes Day Centre but the programme, which was described at a public meeting last week, needs to include lunch. The new service is expected to go into effect on 1st September.Prospective Parliamentary Liberal Democrat candidate Susan Kramer is concerned that, while the programme of activities is diverse and imaginative, there are no firm decisions yet on the inclusion of a regular lunch club.

"I wish the new partnership well but I do have one concern - the absence of a regular lunch slot which would give older people a particular social focus during the week."

I think we have to try to make this happen and ensure that what is on offer is appetising, affordable and will appeal to people. Local pubs and cafes serve excellent food but not at a price most elderly people can afford except as a treat."

Perhaps there is a local, budget conscious caterer who could step in and help support getting a regular lunch club off the ground as part of the new start for the Day Centre?"

I am sure Barnes is rich in ideas and talent for this to get the support of a not for profit caterer."