Centre offers free meals and a sense of community

At a community centre in Worcester, guests get ready to tuck into a meal cooked by volunteers from the charity FoodCycle.

For some, it's a meal that will help make ends meet; for others an opportunity to socialise rather than feeling lonely.

Every Thursday evening at the Tolladine Hub community centre, the meals are cooked with food from supermarkets that would otherwise have gone to waste.

"I work three jobs and still struggle," said one mum who frequents the hub.

"A lot of parents that work, have the same struggles as those on benefits, this should be available for everybody."

She added that the scheme didn't discriminate by saying "I'm sorry, but you work so you can't come", adding that it was for everybody to "feel welcome and have a nice meal".

FoodCycle regional manager Pablo Allan said it was a three-course meal, free and "no questions asked", for about 40 guests - but which also helps save the planet.

The charity said it runs 12 similar community events in the Midlands each week.

Another charity provides food from supermarkets, shops and others suppliers, with the produce often on or near an expiry date.

Mr Allan said: "We provide a nutritious, healthy meal - and we're also creating a safe space for people to socialize, connect, and hopefully build resilient communities.

"Our aim is basically to create these community spaces, because through those resilient communities, we can see people's mental health improve as well, through getting out of the house, tackling the isolation and loneliness which is still widespread at the moment," he added.

Meals are served every Thursday from 17:30 GMT at Tolladine Hub community centre, Worcester.

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