Meal Makers is a project that matches older adults who could benefit from a home cooked meal with volunteers willing to cook an extra portion and deliver it. Volunteers undergo background checks and food safety training. Over 4,800 meals have been shared across several cities in Scotland since 2014, providing both food and companionship to combat loneliness and malnutrition often experienced by older adults. The intergenerational program benefits both volunteers and recipients and helps build community connections.

1. Connecting Generations Through Food

2. What is Meal Makers?
Meal Makers is a project which encourages and facilitates people to cook and share
an extra portion of food with an older person living locally who could really benefit
from a delicious, free, home cooked meal from a friendly neighbour.

3. How it works
PVG
Cook signs up and
completes criminal record
check and food hygiene test
Local Recruiters find Diners
and help to sign them up
Cooks search for local
Diners, Meal Makers team
help make the match.
Cook and Diner arrange a
date and time for a meal
share
Cook delivers tasty home
cooked meal to their diner

4. Why was it needed?
Malnourishment among older adults
It is estimated that 1 in 10 people over 65 living in the community are malnourished or at risk1
Social Isolation and loneliness
17% of older people are in contact with family, friends and neighbours less than once a week and
11% are in contact less than once a month
Over half (51%) of all people aged 75 and over live alone
63% of adults aged 52 or over who have been widowed, and 51% of the same group who are
separated or divorced, report feeling lonely some of the time or often
59% of adults aged over 52 who report poor health say they feel lonely some of the time or often2
Changes in society – Geographic mobility, change in family structures,
demographic shift
1 'A review and summary of the impact of malnutrition in older people and the reported costs and benefits of interventions' Malnutrition Task Force, 2013
2 http://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/loneliness-research/, 2017

5. Intergenerational Approach
Participatory
Cooks and Diners shape the project for them – when, how and how often
Participants bring own positive resources to the project
Promotes greater understanding and respect between generations
Creates new connections in communities – happier, more understanding, more vibrant
Challenges stereotypes around ageism
Mutually Beneficial
Both Cooks and Diners benefit from activities
More than just a food project – additional benefits

6. Launch dates and progress so far

7. Launch dates and progress so far
Dundee: 4th August 2014

8. Launch dates and progress so far
Dundee: 4th August 2014
Glasgow: 5th January 2015

9. Launch dates and progress so far
Dundee: 4th August 2014
Glasgow: 5th January 2015
Perth & Kinross: 23rd November 2015

10. Launch dates and progress so far
Dundee: 4th August 2014
Glasgow: 5th January 2015
Perth & Kinross: 23rd November 2015
Renfrewshire: 5th January 2016

11. Launch dates and progress so far
Dundee: 4th August 2014
Glasgow: 5th January 2015
Perth & Kinross: 23rd November 2015
Renfrewshire: 5th January 2016
Edinburgh: 16th February 2016

12. Launch dates and progress so far
Dundee: 4th August 2014
Glasgow: 5th January 2015
Perth & Kinross: 23rd November 2015
Renfrewshire: 5th January 2016
Edinburgh: 16th February 2016
Stirling: 21st November 2016

13. Launch dates and progress so far
4,800 Meals shared
4,602 hours of befriending
363 ‘Cooks’ and ‘Diners’
matched
*Stats accurate as of 28/02/2017
0 20
88
251
492
950
1493
2237
3112
3931
4800
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
Aug-14 Nov-14 Feb-15 May-15 Aug-15 Nov-15 Feb-16 May-16 Aug-16 Nov-16 Feb-17
Total Meals shared

14. Meal Makers in Pictures

15. Contact details
 0800 783 7770
8 hello@mealmakers.org.uk
* Room 28, Hydepark Business Centre, 60
Mollinsburn Street, Glasgow, G21 4SF
www.mealmakers.org.uk