One of the world’s leading food producers for the health and social care sector, providing nutritious and sustainable meals for people at home or in care, has backed a Peasedown St John-based project with a £500 grant.

Apetito is a European frozen food company which was founded in post-war Germany. The company operate across Europe, in Canada and here in the UK.

They are keen to support locally-based community projects that are designed to tackle loneliness and isolation, particularly among the elderly. A huge number of their customers are older people who live alone and can go for days, or even weeks, without seeing anyone.

During the summer, Peasedown St John Councillor, Sarah Bevan (Independent), met up with Ross Cannell, from Apetito, to receive a cheque on behalf of the community.

The funding will be used to support the Residents’ Association’s Community Garden Project, which is being built as a dementia-friendly, sensory space for anyone who wants to come and enjoy it.

Cllr Sarah Bevan said: “The Residents’ Association runs a lot of initiatives in the community that are proving to be a real life-line for those that take part. The breakfast events, weekly job search meetings, coffee drop-ins, and the community garden project are helping the lonely and vulnerable to feel less isolated and more involved in what’s going on.

“We’re very grateful for this funding from Apetito. For our community to be recognised by an international organisation dedicated to social development really means a lot to us!”

Ross had the opportunity to visit the village’s Community Garden and see firsthand the progress the volunteers have made over the summer with its development.

For more information about Peasedown St John Residents’ Association and it’s loneliness project, email: [email protected] or visit their Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/PeasedownResidents