Not for profit organisation awarded funds to provide lunches in Malvern

Residents in a Worcestershire town look set to benefit from lunch gatherings, thanks to funds awarded to purchase new kitchen equipment.

Malvern based volunteer group Zest4Life Conversation & Laughter has been awarded a grant to purchase a new catering trolley and catering workbench as well as food supplies.

The group – which has been running since 2014 – regularly attracts more than 30 people each week for lunch at its base in The Octagon Community Centre, but with ageing equipment, the group’s founder Martin Lawrence applied to our Community Chest, a funding pot for Platform customers and local charities, clubs and other not-for-profit organisations to apply for if their work or project directly benefits Platform customers; all applications are assessed against specific eligibility criteria by customers who sit on its Customer Experience Panel.

Marion Duffy, Chief Operations Officer at Platform Housing Group said : “Zest4Life is such a worthwhile cause and we are so glad we have been able to support it with much needed funds to continue its invaluable work within the local community.  Bringing people together to enjoy a hearty meal and a good conversation is so beneficial.”

Martin explained: “We are delighted to have been awarded this grant from Platform Housing Group.  Zest4Life has become a life saver for many over the years, especially those that have lost someone and, with it, conversation and laughter.  Our lunch clubs are really popular but our ageing equipment has made delivering them increasingly difficult.  Some of the money will also go towards purchasing additional food  to be able to continue to offer free refreshments to both Platform customers and other isolated individuals who all benefit from the social interaction.  We will also be able to continue to deliver free food to doorsteps in Malvern to help combat the very real needs of food poverty.” 

Zest4Life has twice been awarded Highly Commended certificates from Malvern Hills District Council for ‘Improving Lives’; NHS clinicians attend its events offering consultation, advice and health checks.

Martin concluded: “It is only by continuing to work closely with partners like Platform Housing Group that we can keep our 100 per cent volunteer run open to all facility going despite running at a financial loss on a weekly basis. The demand for our services has grown substantially over the 10 years we have been operating.  We are very grateful to Platform for its support.”

Zest4Life is open to everyone and there is no need to book.

You can find out more about our Community Chest here.