Luncheon Clubs are an informal way to support older and vulnerable people to remain living independently, with confidence and enjoyment, within their own community.
The essential guide has been written by experts within the membership of the NACC, concerned by the number of older and vulnerable people that no longer have access to social contact and good nutritious meals.
The guide contains comprehensive and easy-to-follow information, advice and tools to explain and simplify the processes and ensure that this vital community service continues and grows.
How to Set Up a Luncheon Club covers seven core topics that need to be properly understood and addressed in order to start and run a successful, safe and legitimate Luncheon Club, which reflects the needs of each locality and community.
The seven core areas are:
1. Members – including data protection, attendance and payment records
2. Funding – including insurance
3. Venue – coveringchoice of venue, basic requirements, registration and venue safety
4. Staff/Volunteers – addressingCRB checks, insurance and food hygiene training/induction
5. Food – encompassing food safety, nutrition versus malnutrition, malnutrition and nutritional screening and menus
6. Transport – including transport, travel and volunteer drivers
7. Policies and Procedures.
The guide also features an implementation pack including essential information, forms and procedures, together with useful checklists. Presenting all the information and tools in one easy-to-follow document removes the difficult, time-consuming (and often daunting) task of information gathering.
Karen Oliver, Chair, NACC, commented: “The NACC understands and respects the important role that Luncheon Clubs can play within the community, supporting individuals to live independently and well. It is because of this that we are committed to helping those that want to set up and run Luncheon Clubs, giving them all the information and tools they need.
"Our aim is to make the job of starting a Luncheon Club as straightforward and painless as possible, so that the vulnerable in society can benefit from this vital support mechanism as quickly as possible.”