This charity's innovative project is boosting Harrogate's independent restaurants

For 38 years Supporting Older People’s (SOP’s) rich programme of activities and support has provided a lifeline to hundreds of elderly people across our district, and their latest project - a dining out club - has been praised by the Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce as a fantastic idea that also helps the “backbone of the town,” Harrogate’s independents.

The charity runs the club once a month, with a 15 or 16 strong group dining out at different Harrogate independent restaurants, so far including the likes of Buon Gusto, Graveley’s, and the Crown Hotel.

The president of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, Steve Scarre, said: “It’s a great idea because people can get lonely as they get older, and with this helping local independents as well, even better.

“Anything that can help them is beneficial. Without them Harrogate would not be Harrogate. The independents have always been the backbone of Harrogate town centre, but also the periphery. People come to Harrogate because of the independents.”

SOP’s director Kate Rogata said: “If you live on your own, and you’re only cooking for yourself, you can find yourself thinking, ‘why am I bothering?’ And you can lose interest in food.

“Mealtimes are a chance to share news and have that social interaction. We just want to bring people together to enjoy amazing food and form friendships in the process.”

“We try as best we can to use independent restaurants, it is good for the town and the restaurants. It also fits in with what the BID is trying to do, getting people into the town centre and supporting independents.”

SOP’s home visiting scheme manager Julia Lightfoot said: “People really look forward to it, and there’s always a real sense of occasion around it.”

The charity is keen to give back to local businesses, praising them for their passion in supporting the community. To find out more about the dining out club, call SOP on 01423 531490.