We are a vibrant network of lunch clubs serving nutritious home-cooked lunches to older residents aged 55 and over in Hackney. The 12 clubs in our network reflect Hackney’s cultural diversity and include Caribbean, Charedi, Chinese, Cypriot, Kurdish, Muslim, Turkish and Vietnamese heritage groups as well as lunch clubs that grew out of community groups on London Borough of Hackney housing estates.

Our lunch clubs help to decrease isolation and improve health, wellbeing and connection.

Most of our lunch clubs began serving lunches in the 1970s and 1980s. Holly Street Luncheon Club on Queensbridge Road dates back to 1975.

The clubs invite older people to get out and about, eat well and connect with others. They help to reduce social isolation and loneliness as well as improving quality of life. Members in the clubs are regularly invited to influence the design and delivery of the service they receive. Lunch clubs are financially supported by LB Hackney and contract managed by Hackney CVS but funding doesn't cover current cost of living challenges.

Many older people who struggled through the pandemic and are now impacted by increasing fuel and food costs. Hackney's lunch clubs are more important than ever! They provide warmth, food and connection.

Hackney's network of lunch clubs is appealing to local residents and businesses to support these vital services. We are aware that money is tight for all of us now but would really appreciate your contributions.

Our current fundraising goal is for £10,000. This money will be used to support the clubs with:

• Supporting lunch clubs with food costs due to rising inflation.

• Supporting lunch clubs to offer free meals to some members who can’t afford to pay.

• Replacing essential kitchen equipment.

Lunch clubs are an essential part of Hackney and so important to residents. We need your support to keep their doors open and ovens on.

These Hackney Lunch Clubs are coordinated by Hackney CVS, registered charity no 1069736. Hackney Giving is the local giving fund at Hackney CVS and is supporting this fundraising appeal for the lunch clubs.