Tasmanian Association of Community Houses

What is Eating With Friends About?

Eating With Friends is about bringing older people together for a nutritious meal with friends. It’s about  strengthening communities, reducing social isolation and improving well being. It is 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. That group still operates, with a total of 30 EWF groups currently being run by different community groups and organisations around Tasmania.

3 Models  

The models of EWF groups are suggested as a guide for new groups. There is no fixed format on how an EWF group should be run. EWF groups have a community development focus, with groups being run by a local community for their community.

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

There are 7 core values developed by the EWF Steering Committee for groups to practice and promote the aims 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

The EWF Project is guided by a partnership between several organisations.

These organisations are represented on the EWF Steering Committee.

• West Moonah & Claremont Eating With Friends
• Clarence City Volunteer Service
• Tasmanian Association of Community Houses
• Community Nutrition Unit, DHHS
• Respite Carelink Centres
• West Moonah Community House
• Health Promotion South, DHHS
• Dept of Rural Health, UTAS
• Local Government Association Tas (LGAT)
• COTA

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

Contact the Project Coordinator

For more information, please contact the Project Coordinator, Karen Austen on 03 6228 1220 or  email

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