Radstock & Westfield Big Local CIC is providing hot square meals - for free - to residents of Radstock and Westfield who may be isolated, struggling to cook, may have mental health issues, are shielded or housebound with limited access to resources.

If you fit this description then please contact the Compassionate Communities helpline who can refer you and even offer more support too.

The Compassionate Community telephone line is 0300 247 0050 and is open seven days a week from 9am to 5pm.

We are very lucky to have three volunteers in Sue, John and Robin delivering the food and coordinating the project. We don't need more volunteers at the moment.

We are working in partnership with the excellent Riverbank Cafe - owner and chef Shane Kitchen - who are using their culinary talents to cook hot, healthy meals, catering for all dietary requirements. Our volunteers pick up the food and deliver to the people who need it.

The Chair, Radstock & Westfield Big Local, Robin Moss said: "It's been great how a good idea has been turned into a practical project in a short space of time. Working with our local GPs and other health professionals we can hopefully make sure these meals go where they are needed. Certainly the ones I've delivered have been much appreciated."

This local project has been given a positive reception from our residents; already people have been in touch offering donations to help. We're looking into setting up a system so that people can donate to cover the cost of more meals so that more of our community can benefit from this much needed service.

It's really heart warming and encouraging that in difficult times people in our community will put themselves forward and find ways to help - whether through donations, words of encouragement or volunteering their time, it's all very much appreciated and helps us to keep going.

About us: In 2015 the community of Radstock and Westfield was given £1 million by the Lottery Fund (now called Community Fund) to enable us to identify local needs and take action in response to them. Residents have formed a group that listens to the needs of the community and subsequently invests in projects that will make a positive difference. We have invested in over 70 projects so far - you can find out more about these through our website www.radstockwestfield.org.uk