The Kitchen Companions is a social enterprise set up as Community Interest Company (C.I.C.), meaning profits are reinvested back into the local community.
The power of food in connecting people and combating loneliness is undeniable. Whether through shared experiences, nurturing acts, or community engagement, food serves as a unifying force that brings individuals together and fosters meaningful connections. By recognising and harnessing the ability of food to bridge gaps and create a sense of belonging, we will continue to combat loneliness and enrich the lives of those around us.
It will always be ‘more than a meal’ - it is about connection, community, and nourishment.
Our local companions are committed and passionate in making a difference. We hope that friendships are formed and the people we visit look forward to their daily interactions. We always notice little problems, be it a broken light bulb, messy garden or people feeling low, and we want to help solve them. It might be making a call to family, another support group or just fixing it together.
Our connection is centred around food but allows us to do so much more….
NUTRITION
We help support health by providing a hot, nutritious and tasty meal using the same ingredients and techniques that a good cook would use at home.
SOCIAL CONNECTION
We help maintain independence by building social connections to tackle loneliness and social isolation and promote independent living and choice.
SAFETY
Our welfare checks give peace of mind. We monitor and report on changes in a person’s condition and living environment. The same local companion will visit each time, so they can quickly identify changes.
SUPPORT
We make referrals when needed, sharing important information, connecting people to additional services in the community, and responding to identified needs.
“From the family’s perspective, please accept our thanks and gratitude for providing an outstanding and caring service, not only in providing hot meals, but really taking the time to chat and shown genuine care to these elderly people, who sometimes would not see anyone all day, the difference in our father following these visits is amazing!”
— Mrs D (Family Member)
One of the most evident benefits having local companions is the sense of belonging. It brings in people who are familiar with the local community and culture. This makes them more at ease and comfortable in their role, allowing them to connect with the people they visit quickly and on a meaningful level.
The kitchen is the heart of the home, a scared space, and spending time in it alongside the ceremony of making food creates wholesome and homely feelings and helps people feel safe and seen. As the same companion visits the same person, they get to really know them; not just on a social level, but an intuitive one. They can recognise when someone isn’t themselves, and respond.
As a C.I.C one of our goals is to create employment opportunities for the local community and reduce unemployment. When local companions spend their earnings it contributes to the local community, which helps the local community grow, which creates a thriving local economy. It creates a positive domino effect that leads to greater investment in the region, fostering innovation, collaboration, and economic growth which enhances our social impact.
Using local companions also helps reduce the environmental impact by avoiding unnecessary journeys and long commutes, which aligns with our sustainability goals.
We hope we can make a difference and create meaningful change by bringing caring back into the community.
Take Care
