About us

A Snapshot of Eat@TheHeath – Wednesdays from 11.30am -1.30pm in the events hall at Heath Business and Technical Park.



If you'd have popped into Eat@TheHeath club for the over 50's this week you'd have been impressed by what you would've seen and heard:

  • A large events hall with over 80 people aged over 50 chatting and laughing;

  • A mixed group of new acquaintances on the dance floor learning to play indoor bowls;

  • A table discussing the cakes provided this week and asking for the recipes of the homemade delights brought in;

  • A group around the book trolley- adding ones from home, discussing favourite authors including those who can make you laugh out loud;

  • A steady stream of individuals trying out the new weighted hula hoop met with spontaneous applause;

  • A 'Memory Box,' from Halton Library being opened and discussed plus the services provided alongside for members of the public;

  • A Halton libraries member of staff going from table to table to discuss the members' IT problems on their iPads, phones and computers;

  • Those who are hard of hearing or with dwindling sight finding new ways they can be supported by the library;

  • Members who have been touched by or are going through the range of difficulties and emotions brought on by cancer being supported by an Eat@TheHeath volunteer who works at Widnes and Runcorn Cancer Support ;

  • Couples and groups chatting at the tea urns;

  • A general buzz of chatter amongst all tables about the dingbats and quiz rounds

  • More chatter and laughter about last week's trip to Southport;

  • Members quietly supporting other members either walking arm in arm to the loo or asking the right questions about why they're not as sparkly this week and then listening;

  • Couples with beaming smiles in new relationships chatting about their next adventures;

  • Eyes down for a game of bingo at the end.


Yet only a year ago, the scene was been very different. Back then Eat@TheHeath was just starting out. Following discussions between the local PCSOs from Runcorn Police with community team members from SOG Ltd, the company that manages The Heath Business and Technical Park, the spark of an idea to help combat loneliness and isolation was born. Market research showed that lunch clubs organised locally were oversubscribed and that it was expensive to go to local cafes to meet people and chat with them over a hot drink and cake. As the MD of SOG Ltd, John Lewis, is passionate about the cause of combatting loneliness and isolation, he was behind the community team and PCSOs and agreed to allow the events hall at the centre of the business park to be used at no cost. Also, two members of staff ( and later more) would be permitted to dedicate their time to the running of this club for at least one full day a week and frequently longer in order to plan and prepare. The kitchen staff would organise the refreshments. An initial meeting of interest brought in nearly thirty people. After listening to what was wanted the first session was planned. People were to be charged £2 and in return they would receive a piece of cake and as many hot drinks as they wanted in two hours whilst answering quiz questions and chatting. Just ten people came to the first session . It was so quiet that background music was needed to fill any silences. Staff and members persevered and as bingo, art activities and information talks were added week by week, the numbers grew steadily. The PCSOs identified older members of the community who were particularly vulnerable financially, were in poor health or were unable to leave home independently. The mix of members was vast yet all connected through the club, perhaps as distant neighbours or long-lost school friends. Others found they had much in common and found shared friendship. Some found new companionship and others became couples or social groups outside the club.

In order to ease the plight of some who could not access the club due to physical disability, additional needs such as dementia or even as simple as a lack of confidence, the staff bid for local funding to provide weekly transport but were unsuccessful. Generously, the MD stepped in and purchased a site minibus which frees thirteen people every week from their four walls at home.


One of the most popular Wednesdays is on the last Wednesday of each month when £3 provides a meal and live entertainment with dancing. There's usually approximately 120 people and they fill the dance floor some with walking frames or sticks, others supported physically by new friends. All of them leave the room buzzing, already looking forward to the following week at Eat@TheHeath when they'll see their new friends again

In the last year, in addition to scores of quizzes, dingbat rounds, games of bingo and a small mountain of cake there have been many demonstrations and informative talks brought to the club.

For example: Health and Well-being talks such as sleep therapy, accessing health services, looking after personal mental health and raising awareness of Sure Start for Older People.

Active indoor exercise such as indoor bowls, kurling, archery, hula hooping, sequence dancing and line dancing

Hobbies such as gardening, photography, crochet, numerous art and crafts skills and projects, beauty demonstrations, birds of prey displays and cookery demonstrations.

Remembering the past through videos, photographs and quizzes from Runcorn Historical Society and Runcorn Canal group Unlock Runcorn.

Helpful public information from the fire service( fire safety in the home), police( home security) and fraud squad (cyber security against scams and hackers)and the library service ( IT support and guidance, large print books, help for the hard of hearing , online ebooks, audio books, magazines and papers and the use of Memory Boxes with those who have dementia.)

Building a group voice through NHS Halton CCG customer opinion gathering and Haltonopen


In addition to the above, some of the end of month meal and live entertainment events have also been spectacular parties. The Christmas and Jubilee parties will be remembered by members for many years to come. The events hall was transformed into an atmospheric colourful themed setting and every one of the members obliged by joining in by dressing up to match the theme.


Along the way, Eat@TheHeath has gathered the support of a number of loyal and helpful volunteers who add to the range of expertise the club can provide and improve the degree of individual support given. Volunteers report that they find it not only immensely gratifying but wonderful fun too. Volunteers may give time but in return they receive smiles, hugs, plants, tomatoes, cakes, warm genuine gratitude and of course hugs. Friendship does not have age boundaries.


Members are very vocal about the impact of Eat@TheHeath on their social situation and mental health and well-being:

"It's great to laugh again."

"I've made so many new friends- my Christmas card list is longer."

"This club has given me brand-new confidence. I used to be shy but now I laugh with others."

"This club is quite simply brilliant."

"It's a lifeline. I don't know what I'd do without it."

"Every Tuesday I get my best clothes out on the bed and decide what I'm wearing for Eat@TheHeath. The excitement starts then."

"It's our new family- we all look after each other."

"The room is so noisy with chatter that we don't need any background music any more!"

"My daughter told me I had to come here because I was grieving, lonely, and depressed. I didn't want to but without a doubt it's been the best thing that could've happened. Now I want to live again and I will always be grateful to Eat@TheHeath staff who helped me through and for the company of the members."


If you want to see what goes on and sniff the wonderfully positive buzz in the room then you should come along too- we know you'll be welcome.