A FREE Christmas lunch to help tackle loneliness and isolation has been brought back for a second year after last year’s event was hailed a huge success.
Aoife Dyson, of Park Road, Barnsley, has organised a Festive Feast for up to 100 people who are in need of friendship and company.
The event last year saw more than 20 people attend the lunch, but Aoife, 31, is hoping she will reach out to even more people this year.
She said: “We are a lot more organised this year and we are giving people more time to get in touch. We have started planning earlier to get the ball rolling. Also with this being its second year we are hoping that it will give people more stability over the Christmas period, and give them something to look forward to every year.”
Aoife is organising the event this year with her sister Tara Howard and the pair have set up a crowd funding page for people to make donations.
They currently have £200 of their £1,000 target and they have had the catering donated by Dodworth Deli and Cafe. They have also been joined by Project 14, a mental health charity who will be supporting the event.
Aoife said: “The support we have received both this year and last year has been amazing.
“I just want to let people out there know that you don’t have to be on your own. You can come to the Festive Feast meet new people enjoy the atmosphere and just have a great time. Last year it was so lovely for everyone to be together, singing carols and by the end of it people had made new friends and that for us is a huge success.”
It will be held on Saturday December 22 from 1pm to 4pm at Holy Rood Parish Hall, Barnsley. It’s free to attend but places need to be booked in advance. Call 07845082668 or click here to find Barnsley Festive Feast on Facebook to book.
