Be a ‘good egg’ and get involved in Oswestry project
Oswestry residents are being asked for their thoughts and ideas on new ways to help people both eat well and make new friends.
Shropshire Council is looking at how it can support new opportunities in Oswestry for people to come together to enjoy good food and each other’s company.
The ‘Good Eggs’ project is being developed to help people build social and support networks in the community, by encouraging people to come together and enjoy good food. It is at an early stage, and views are sought to ensure the project is developed in the way people want.
Options could include providing opportunities for:
• people meeting together to share food at a community venue
• people meeting together to cook and eat in the home
• matching people to take turns in cooking for each other and eating together
• matching people with cooking skills and the time to prepare meals to those who either need help in preparing meals, or lack the time to do so
The project will initially be trialled in south Oswestry, with a view to extending it after exploring what works well for people in the area.
Members of the council team developing the project will be at the following locations next week to talk to people about ’Good Eggs’:
• Tuesday 22 January – Oswestry Library – from 10am to 2pm
• Wednesday 23 January – Oswestry Market – from 9am to 2pm
• Thursday 24 January – Sainsbury’s, Oswestry – from 6pm to 8pm
• Friday 25 January – Oswestry Farmers’ Market – from 9am to 2pm
People can find out more and take part by contacting Jo Kilcoyne on 01743 252016 or emailing joanne.kilcoyne@shropshire.gov.uk
Keith Barrow, leader of Shropshire Council and councillor for Oswestry South, said:
“We want to work with people in Oswestry to come up with new opportunities for enjoying great food together.
“It can take effort to prepare proper meals and ensure you benefit from a balanced diet; not everyone has the time, is able to do this, or feels it is worth it, for example, for one person. However there are opportunities to share skills, time and ingredients, and in turn, be healthier.
“But it’s about more than food. Food brings people together – and this project could help people find friendly, like-minded others who can listen and offer mutual support.
“We want to enable communities to find solutions that work for them and their area. I would urge people in the Oswestry area to share what is important to them in their community, and how they think the ideas could be progressed.
“Such projects have worked well elsewhere in the country and, with input from people in the community, we hope to develop a successful project, initially in south Oswestry, which could then be extended to the rest of the town and other parts of the county.”
Martin Bennett, Shropshire councillor for Oswestry East added:
“I welcome the opportunity to help break down social isolation and improve the appreciation of good food and good companionship, and I look forward to this project spreading throughout Oswestry.”
