Tasmanian Association of Community Houses

What is Eating With Friends About?

Eating With Friends is about bringing people who are socially isolated together for a nutritious meal with friends.  It’s about working with communities and volunteer groups to organise and run regular group meals. 

History

The first group started in West Moonah in 2000.  It grew out of concern from Meals on Wheels volunteers that so many older people were eating alone.  A group was formed to bring socially isolated older people together to share a meal and to enjoy the company of others.

3 Models  

There are 3 models of EWF Groups: 

1. Community Based Model / Eating In:  volunteers organise and host a meal.
2. Eating Out Model:  groups visit cafes and restaurants or volunteers host a meal and outsource the meal preparation.
3. School Model:  students organise and host a meal.  

Core Values of EWF

• provide low cost, varied and nutritious meals
• encourage a culture of inclusiveness – everyone is welcome
• target those with limited socialising opportunities
• focus on local community resources
• provide opportunity for volunteer involvement
• respond to the needs of the community
• ensure appropriate access is provided  

 Why Be Part of the EWF Network?

• a part time Coordinator is available to support existing groups and help establish new groups around the state.
• pamphlets and posters for individual groups to advertise themselves
• an action kit to help groups get started
• promotional DVD
• newsletters
• mentoring support 

 What people say about EWF:

“You can sit next to a total stranger and you end up chatting away like you’ve known them all your life” (participant)      

  “I like helping others.  It makes me feel good about giving something back to the community I live in” (volunteer)        

“I have made new friends, we do other things together and I look forward to coming along every time.” (participant)  

Eating With Friends Action Kit

An Action Kit is available to assist in the establishment of an Eating With Friends (EWF) Group. The EWF concept is a very flexible model that can be adapted across a broad range of locations and interest groups.        

The Action Kit presents a step by step guide to identifying the local needs and resources, and establishing and maintaining a group. The ideas and suggestions can be modified to suit specific requirements and circumstances and provide a useful starting point.        

The Action Kit is made up of the following sections:        

To order a free copy of the Action Kit please email Karen or phone Eating With Friends on 6228 1220.    

Eating With Friends Steering Committee

EWF is a partnership between several organisations. These organisations are represented on the EWF Steering Committee.

• West Moonah Eating With Friends
• Eat Well Tasmania
• Glenorchy City Council
• Tasmanian Association of Community Houses
• Department of Health and Human Services , Community Nutrition Unit
• Respite Carelink Centres
• Tandara Adult Activity Centre

Eating With Friends Groups

Is there an Eating With Friends group operating in your area?

Click here for a current list of EWF locations.

Eating With Friends Newsletters

 To download a copy of the Eating With Friends Newsletter, click here. 

If you’d like to be included on the the newsletter mailing list, please contact EWF on 6228 1220

EWF is proudly auspiced by the Tasmanian Association of Community Houses and is funded by Home and Community Care (HACC)