Community meals project celebrates first anniversary

A volunteer-led project which offers pay-what-you-can meals for the community has celebrated its first birthday.

Heather Scharnhorst helps to run The Welcome Table in Wareham, and said it had served more than 1,800 people over the past year.

"They get to sit down and not only have a nice dinner but they also get to meet new people," she said

The group welcomes up to 45 guests, from all backgrounds, every Thursday at the Holy Trinity Church and had more than 50 people turn up for a celebratory event to mark its first anniversary.

One year ago the project, which relies on donations, was given initial funding from Dorset Council.

"We didn't think we would get this far," Scharnhorst said, adding that they now advised other communities on how they could set up similar groups in their areas.

"It's such a simple concept but good for everyone to be involved with," she said.

Scharnhorst said they worked in collaboration with the charity Not Just Sundaes and that the meals were prepared by a professional chef.

It had been particularly good for large families who might not ordinarily be able to afford to eat out together and individuals who live on their own, she said.

"It really has become a lovely community venue," she added.

Scharnhorst takes her children along, to give them the chance to meet people they might not ordinarily meet and make new friends.

She said she had seen how the "mental wellbeing" of people in the community had improved by getting together with others around the dinner table.

"The laughter that rings out is absolutely fantastic to hear," she said.

"It's just been so rewarding to see that need met."