Eat Together for Age UK Exeter VIP Launch

Today's the day we officially launch our new campaign ‘Eat Together for Age UK Exeter’. Our VIP launch event takes place tonight at the historic Devon & Exeter Institution on Cathedral Green. Our guests include business owners and representatives from cafes, restaurants, law firms, retail and community groups as well as food bloggers and media organisations. Guests will hear about how the campaign came about and what it aims to achieve. 

So what's it all about? Community Fundraising Manager, Jacqui Cornish said “We know that loneliness is a huge problem in today’s society and older people can be particularly affected. The people we work with tell us that one of the things they miss the most is sharing a meal with others. Coming together with friends and family to share food and company is something many of us can take for granted. Age UK Exeter brings people together to combat this loneliness. Eat Together for Age UK Exeter is an awareness-raising campaign that aims to bring people together over food whilst raising much-needed funds to support our work in the city” 

At the launch, guests will have canapés provided by local restaurant Tea on the Green and will hear from Jim Fisher, co-owner & Head Chef / Tutor of Exeter Cookery School Jim will be talking about his first food memories, good and bad, and his belief in the benefits of eating together with friends or family. Jim said “I grew up during the 60s and 70s, a period before fast food, TVs in teenagers' bedrooms, computer games and Facebook. This was a time when most families still sat around a table at least once a day eating, chatting, laughing, catching up with each other’s day, re-affirming and consolidating family bonds. So the importance of cooking real food, eaten with family and friends around one table, all at the same time has stayed with me to this day.” 

Martyn Rogers, CEO of Age UK Exeter said “We are delighted to be joined by these wonderful representatives from the business community. It’s fantastic to know that people care. By supporting Eat Together for Age UK Exeter these businesses will be directly helping us to reach out and do more to reduce isolation and loneliness in the city”.