- 15/03/2016
- Posted by: Ken Skates MS
- Category: News
An Assembly Member praised dedicated volunteers after a hearty lunch with a VIP visitor.
Clwyd South AM Ken Skates was invited to the Young at Heart Lunch Club in Coedpoeth with Sarah Rochira, the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales on Friday (March 11).
The club, which meets every Friday from 11.30am-1.30pm at Coedpoeth Parish Hall, celebrated its tenth birthday in September and has more than 20 members.
Mr Skates said: “It was a lovely lunch cooked by head chef Eileen Dyson and her team of fellow volunteers, and a great opportunity to talk about a whole range of issues affecting older people in Clwyd South.
“The people who give up their time to run Young at Heart do a wonderful job and the lunch on Friday is one of the highlights of the week for the members, many of whom have been going since it started in 2005.
“The club provides the opportunity for people to meet and socialise in a friendly environment, where they can catch up and have a traditional, freshly-cooked meal.”
Co-ordinator Gladys Griffiths said: “It was lovely to welcome Ken and Sarah to our club. The members had a lot of questions and appreciated the chance to chat with them.”
Ms Rochira added: “It was fantastic to hear from the members about how important the club is to helping them get out and about.
“Loneliness is a significant issue for many thousands of older people across Wales and can have a devastating impact on their health and wellbeing. Lunch clubs, like this one in Coedpoeth, provide an essential opportunity for older people to escape isolation and improve their physical and emotional wellbeing.”
