Cooking is set to be used to combat loneliness among the older generations in Welwyn Hatfield.

The borough council is getting people to cook and eat together as part of a 12-week scheme, entitled Meet and Eat.

Sessions will take place weekly and involve the same group of people getting together to plan healthy meals and make friends.

The scheme has already been successful in both east and north Herts, and it is this model which Welwyn Hatfield Council is using.

Councillor Fiona Thomson, executive member for governance and public health, said: “I’m immensely proud of the work we’re doing with our partners to improve the lives of people locally.

“The many different projects we’ve organised or helped fund, including Health Walks, Healthfest, the Dementia Action Alliance and ‘Shape Up’, are bringing lasting benefits to our communities and we’re really excited to be introducing even more new projects for next year.

“The new initiatives continue to target specific health and wellbeing issues and engage with groups who are hard to reach or vulnerable.

“Loneliness is one of those issues we’re looking at through a ‘Meet and Eat’ scheme, which will help people make connections and forge friendships by encouraging them to cook and eat together.

“Its brilliance is in its simplicity; dining has always been an experience that should bring communities together.

“We hope to release more details soon.”