Otley support group allows elderly to reunite for lunch together during lockdown

The Otley Action for Older People group runs a Thursday lunch club which allows elderly people of Otley, Pool and Arthington to come together.

The group's resumption came shortly before the second national lockdown but when restrictions were announced the club was at risk of having to stop again.

However, as a charity-run support group, the lunch club is allowed to continue during this lockdown which has been called a relief by all involved, acting as a ‘vital lifeline’ for them.

Betty Irons, aged 86, who benefits from the lunch clubs said: “It’s absolutely wonderful. I live on my own and I hadn’t been out anywhere or seen anyone for months.

“Otley Action call every week to see how I am, and they asked if I’d like to come if lunch clubs started again, which of course I said yes to.

“I think it’s absolutely wonderful, it’s been brilliant to get out and see my friends again”.

Outreach and development worker for the group, Sarah McNab, said: “Most of our members spent the first lockdown at home on their own, with limited to no contact with anyone.

“We saw people's mental and physical health really deteriorate as a result of the isolation, so it’s great we can finally do something to combat that.

“The lunch club has had such a positive impact on our members and they are really enjoying the social interaction and feeling like they are part of something again.

“We keep everything covid secure by ensuring a two metre distance between everyone and masks are worn.

“It has really given them a sense of normality back and even with a much smaller crowd than we had before due to number limitations you can still feel the buzz from everyone in the room.

“No one knows how long anyone has left, but whilst we’re all still here, everyone deserves a good quality of life, which is what we want for all our members.”