New Cumbernauld Laugh And Lunch Lounge Set To Combat Loneliness With Food And Fun In 2025

Cornerstone House Centre is launching an exciting new Cumbernauld town centre weekly initiative where local people can enjoy lunch, engage in social interaction and take part in fun organised activities that support health and wellbeing in a safe and supportive environment this January.

Beginning with on Monday 20 January 2025 from 12noon-2.00pm, Cumbernauld Laugh and Lunch Lounge will run every Monday thereafter at Cornerstone House Centre (1 Esk Walk, Cumbernauld, G67 1BZ). The cost is £4.50 per person (to be paid on the day), with an open invitation is extended to all and no prior booking required.

Weekly sessions are suitable for people of all ages and circumstances, with an extra special welcome provided to older people, carers and those with physical, mental and learning support needs. The organisation has designed this enterprise to address a recognised critical service gap for vulnerable and underserved groups in the local area.

The Lounge will take place within the popular Cornerstone Café space, with attendees able to tuck in to soup, sandwiches, tea and coffee. They will also be gently encouraged to connect through social activities, games, fun workshops, games, quizzes, signposting and more. Mary McNeil, Development Manager at Cornerstone House Centre, said:

“As a Community Anchor Organisation, Cornerstone House Centre has observed a worrying trend that isolation and loneliness among local people is increasing exponentially each year, with a crisis point potentially approaching considering that the older people’s population is rising.

“Equally, people in Cumbernauld with disabilities and long-term health conditions often face social exclusion and a lack of accessible programmes tailored to their needs. This has been exacerbated by closure of a number of local lunch clubs and locally important organisations such as The Alpha Project in recent years.

“With this in mind, we are delighted to announce the new Cumbernauld Laugh and Lunch Lounge venture from 2025 courtesy of support from Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire via the Cumbernauld and North Area Community Solutions Improving Lives Locality Activity Fund.

“Taking place from the central and accessible Cornerstone House venue in Cumbernauld, the initiative will provide a welcoming space where local people can access low-cost nutritious meals, chat together and take part in meaningful activities that support their wellbeing.

“Weekly sessions will be facilitated a relaxed setting where attendees can develop friendships, increase confidence, cultivate peer support and improve emotional wellbeing.

“The service seeks to improve quality of life for older adults, people with disabilities, individuals with long-term health conditions, those in poverty, isolated people, carers and others facing challenges living in Cumbernauld, Kilsyth, the Northern Corridor and surrounding areas.

“With the organisation having a track record of delivering successful programmes for underprivileged citizens, it is uniquely positioned to lead implementation. Outreach lunch deliveries will also be provided to identified deprived groups and neighbourhoods as part of the initiative.”

Notably, the model planned aligns with that encouraged by Cumbernauld Community Board Food and Financial Insecurity Sub-Group, and also replicates the sustainability model formerly used by North Lanarkshire Council Lunch Clubs.

By offering a welcoming, consistent weekly event, the provision will serve as a key resource for community engagement and support, benefiting individuals who lack stable social connections and access to wellbeing-enhancing activities.

The charity is committed to making Cumbernauld Laugh and Lunch Lounge a community-centred project, actively engaging service users at all stages of planning and delivery.

Recognising that feedback and involvement from participants is key to creating a welcoming experience, the organisation is in the early stages of forming collaborations with Seafar Senior Citizens Group, The Meeting Place Cumbernauld, Jeannie Beannie Knitting Group, CACE (Cumbernauld Action for Care of the Elderly) and others to assist the recruitment of people who would benefit from participating.

Facilitation will also benefit from collaborations with local healthcare providers and social service organisations, particularly those that specialise in supporting older adults, people with disabilities and individuals with long-term health conditions. As such, Cornerstone House Centre would welcome partnerships with healthcare professionals, social workers and local charities to help identify and refer participants to the programme.

Furthermore, food insecurity is a pressing issue in Cumbernauld, particularly for older adults and those on fixed incomes. Rising living costs have intensified this problem, with many low-income individuals struggling to afford nutritious food.

Access to healthy food options will not only alleviate food insecurity amongst participants but also support their physical health, promoting better energy levels and less reliance on statutory health services.

If you are an organisation or service provided interested in coordinating attendance of a large number of attendees, arrangements can be made by contacting Cornerstone House Centre. For further information, please call 01236 739220 or email admin@cornerstone-house.org.uk.

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Click Here to View Cornerstone House Centre’s Cumbernauld Laugh and Lunch Lounge Information Poster