A THREE-course Community Lunch was prepared and served by Scouts for Goostrey residents at the new Scout Hut and Youth Centre on Main Road as part of 1st Goostrey Scouts’ community engagement programme.

More than 10 residents accepted the Scouts’ invitation to join them for lunch, so Scouts and Seniors could share experiences, get a better understanding and talk to each other, and everyone made special memories of the day.

The whole Scout pack had been involved the previous evening in supervising food preparation, setting the tables, making guest name places and table name cards, and showing off their creative flair by decorating cupcakes for the guests.

On the day, the Scouts looked after the guests, shared photographs of Scouting activities and enjoyed looking at photographs brought in by guests.

The Scouts served and ate the meal together with their guests and helped with the clear-up.Knutsford Guardian:

Sarah Pass, Assistant Scout Leader said: “Our guests seemed delighted with the effort and attention of the Scouts, and enjoyed talking with them. It was great to see different generations having fun together and making the event so memorable.”

Group Scout Leader Neil Memmott, said:” This community lunch is part of our ongoing programme to continue to support the community.

“This builds on the active programme of tree and hedge planting in and around Goostrey over the winter, involving our Cubs, Beavers and other young people and family and friends of all ages.

“This community lunch followed other initiatives run for Seniors in Goostrey as part of the Scouts’ Community Impact badge – which aims to create positive social change and to help people in our community.

“Two previous sessions focused on dementia, seeking to raise our awareness so that Scouts can help family and friends to understand how dementia can impact lives.

“Premises surveys were obtained, which were then tailored to our local venues.

“Members of the Scout group then visited venues, including St Luke’s Church, Goostrey Railway Station, the Village Hall and our Scout hut, to assess how dementia-friendly they were – and passed back some of the recommendations to help to improve these premises for our community.

“The Scouts also researched and made dementia-friendly signs – some of which are now being used in local venues.

“The Scouts were keen to increase their understanding of the obstacles created by dementia and the ageing process, and made an assault course to experience some of the difficulties for themselves.

“The young people learned that it makes a big difference if people are patient and kind.”