The Lunch Club Official Launch

by Rob Smith

On 15th January all roads led to the official opening of the Yemeni Community Association’s Hallal Lunch Club.

Ahmed Gurma opened the packed event, hosted by Mama East African Women’s Group, thanking people for attending. The New Deal funded project will cater for elderly people from three sections of our diverse community.

"It should not just be about food, but about our organisers networking and elderly communicating and bonding."

Abdul Razzak, co-ordinator of the lunch club spoke of his work and commitment to the elderly, thanking Magda Boo of New Deal for all her hard work.

"This is a virgin project established for three key communities working together."

The project itself has recruited eight sessional workers that represent the diversity of this community and also includes a home delivery driver.

Abdul Shaif, Chair of the Yemeni Community Association spoke about the struggle the Yemeni community have been through to establishing itself in this country.

"Despite the racism we have faced, we have established a strong community which has prospered. Now we can look further than our own needs and work with other communities, helping them succeed as we have."

John Clark spoke of the need to value the elderly and that New Deal was commited to the project for the next three years.

"Some projects, like the Burngreave Community Learning Campaign, the Green Environment Project and Job Link, are aimed at all sections the community. Others like the Hallal Lunch Club, support specific communities with particular needs like the Arab, Somali, and Pakistani communities, who are working together creating unity."

Representatives from the Community Energy Efficiency, Warm Front and State Pension Service then addressed the cross section of elderly men and women attending, finishing off with questions before healthy delicious food, refreshments and group discussions.

Hallal Lunch Club supporting older people in the community:
Tel 272 6991