GEORGE’S LUNCH CLUB GIVES HIM ‘GREAT PURPOSE’ AS HIS GLOBAL MENU PROVES POPULAR WITH RESIDENTS
GEORGE Donnelly is cooking up a culinary storm as his internationally-inspired lunch club tickles the taste buds of Muir Living residents.
The 65-year-old struggled with his mental health after undergoing a leg amputation meaning he had to move from his previous home, but he’s found a new purpose since moving to the Tweedsmuir Muir Living location in Chester.
He’s started laying on a weekly spread for people after launching his very own lunch club, meaning he can get creative in the communal kitchen as he enjoys a new lease of life.
A former Territorial Army Corporal, George is used to making meals for large groups of people from his time in the catering corps and recently refreshed all his food hygiene certificates so he can dish up some tasty treats for his fellow residents every Friday.
“I’m doing it for the benefit of other residents here and for my mental health,” George said. “It gives me purpose.”
“I felt useless after my amputation – I was on a big downer.
“Coming to live at Tweedsmuir and doing my lunch club has had a positive impact on me.
“Bringing people together and creating meals for them gives me a feel-good factor.
“It helps bring this community together and I get great satisfaction from seeing people enjoy it.”
George regularly creates Chinese, Indian, Mexican and Italian-inspired dishes, as well as some great British favorites, using fresh ingredients, much of which is donated by the local Morrisons supermarket.
“I’ve always liked cooking nutritional, tasty foods,” George said.
“My amputation meant I had to stop my hobbies but being able to cook for other residents is brilliant – it keeps me occupied and gets me thinking.
“Residents help wiping down tables and clearing things away, and another resident, Eddie Kinsella, provides a great table service and does washing up.
“It’s helping strengthen community spirit and everyone is working as a team.”
Now living in a ground floor flat at Tweedsmuir, George enjoys the reassurance of having a wheelchair friendly kitchen in his flat which also benefits from an emergency alarm and plug sockets that are always within reach.
Muir Living supports people to live lifestyles they love and cherish their next chapter as part of a creative and caring communities for over 60s.
Our Muir Living locations in Bury, Chester, Godmanchester, Ellesmere Port and Lytham St Annes benefit from having great garden areas with spacious communal lounges as well as the privacy of individual apartments.
Our apartments all come with a 24-hour repairs service and state-of-the-art personal alarm systems, and Independent Living Officers are also on-hand to provide you with reassuring levels of support.
Learn more about Muir Living here: www.muir.org.uk/muir-living