case study
bill & Steve
Bill (66) and Steve (68) both joined our Lunch Clubs in search of connection and healthier habits. Living with type 2 diabetes, they faced challenges with cooking for themselves and staying motivated to maintain their health. Through the programme, they not only gained essential cooking skills but also formed a meaningful friendship that has transformed their physical and mental well-being.
bill’s & Steve’s Journey with lunch Club
Bill (66) was sign posted to our Lunch Clubs by a local social prescriber, he attended three six week clubs.
Bill was quite nervous about attending the club initially, but he built his confidence socially and made several new friends at the sessions.
Steve (68), another attendee, faced similar challenges. Both men live with type 2 diabetes and were seeking ways to improve their physical and mental well-being while learning to manage their health better through food.
“It’s really difficult being a man of my age where I live; there’s no community and nothing for people like me to meet people.”
From Nervous to Confident: Building Skills and Finding Comfort in the Kitchen
Both found the sessions welcoming and inclusive, saying they felt safe and secure.
Bill tried new foods, learnt new recipes, developed skills in food preparation and built his confidence in his abilities to cook for himself (from scratch).
Steve was inspired to experiment with plant-based cooking after attending the clubs. He developed new skills, including one-pot meals, and even purchased slow-cooking cookbooks to expand his repertoire.
“I am certainly much more motivated to cook at home now. It’s difficult to be motivated – to cook for one but now I feel more motivated to cook large amounts and freeze portions for another day.”
Friendship, Health, and Growth: How Lunch Clubs Brought Bill and Steve Together
Steve also attended our Lunch Club regularly, he and Bill became good friends.
Bill and Steve both have type two diabetes. Bill and Steve met at our first lunch club programme, Step Out, in October 2022.
“I learnt a lot about easy one pot cooking, I have been inspired to cook and bought some slow cooking cookbooks from charity shops.”
They both attended two subsequent Clubs in 2023 and have become good friends; Steve encouraged Bill to do walking with him which greatly improved Bills physical and mental health. They also work on Bill’s allotment together, growing and enjoying food. Steve was highly encouraged to cook with more plant-based ingredients after attending our Lunch Clubs.