Devon County Council and Methodist Homes Housing Association have improved the lunchtime meals service for tenants at Norah Bellot Court, Barnstaple, and given them more choice about how they receive their meals.

New home-cooked meals, prepared and cooked on site, are now so popular that local members of the community are also using the service as a luncheon club.

Norah Bellot Court is a housing scheme for people aged over 55 who have personal care needs.   51 tenants currently live there in modern, self-contained flats.  

The scheme is run by Methodist Homes Housing Association, in partnership with Devon County Council who provide social care for tenants.  Devon County Council aims to make social care available to tenants 24 hours a day, as and when it is required.

Until January 2005 tenants would cook their own meals, or occasionally use the dining service, or take advantage of a local meal delivery service.  

Louise Thomas, Manager at Norah Bellot Court, said:

“We wanted to give tenants more choice about their mealtimes and encourage people where possible to eat together at lunchtimes. After all, increasing social contact has been found to be a positive enhancement in older peoples’ lives.”

New chef, Nigel Mason and partner, Loraine Robertson took over the catering, after investment from Devon County Council, and now up to 95% of the tenants are using the restaurant each day, which is open all year.

The meals service has been subsided by the County Council for the first year, so a three-course meal is costing tenants less than £4.

The County Council has also arranged for individual help for tenants, if they need it, to get from their flats down to the restaurant.

So good are the meals that older members of the local community, aged over 55, are also using the restaurant as a luncheon club.

Manager Louise Thomas said:  

“The new meals service has transformed our lunchtimes.  Our chef, Nigel, has turned the restaurant around and now most of the tenants are coming in for lunch.

“Nigel is using locally sourced fresh ingredients and creating some wonderful meals.   The service is also benefiting the local community with people from other sheltered housing coming here to eat as well.”

Fred Passmore, who lives at Norah Bellot Court, said:  

“I live on my own, and being able to use the restaurant takes away the worry of catering for myself.  The surroundings are lovely, and the meals are beautifully presented and cooked.  Nigel and Loraine are lovely people with a wonderful attitude towards their customers.”

John Smith, who lives locally and used the restaurant regularly, said:

“It is very helpful having this service so close to where I live.  I like the meals, I like the price and I like the friendly staff.  All in all it is a very good service.”

There is a varied menu with a choice of two starter, four main courses and three desserts daily.  People may choose the fish dish of the day, a salad, a meat dish or a vegetarian option.

Devon County Council’s Executive Member for older people, Cllr John Rawlinson, said:

“Nutritional meals are critical to a healthy lifestyle and while we knew that tenants were eating well, we wanted to present them with more choice and encourage people to also use the restaurant.  I’m very pleased that the project is doing so well.”

picture courtesy of North Devon Journal