V for Life is bringing together older vegans and vegetarians at a regular lunch club in Edinburgh. VfL Director (Scotland) Kim reports on September's gathering.
We were delighted to host a vegan/vegetarian lunch club recently in partnership with Hendersons restaurant in Edinburgh and we were thrilled that the event proved so popular with such positive feedback.
Hosting the lunch club at Hendersons is a fitting choice, because it’s a beloved vegetarian and vegan institution. It has a rich heritage dating back to 1962, and has been catering for veggies in Scotland's capital since before some of the guests were born.
Older people can often suffer loneliness and isolation. This can be especially true for those who follow a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle, which can sometimes feel isolating in itself. The lunch club aims to foster meaningful connections over shared meals, creating a sense of belonging and community.
It has been our intention to create an environment where individuals can enjoy a healthy, delicious meal while forming bonds with others who share their passion for plant-based living.
It was wonderful to meet people at the lunch club who had come from Edinburgh and further afield, and it was great to see everyone chatting to each other. Some people arrived with a friend or a partner, and others came on their own. But everyone talked together. One attendee, Andy, said he found the atmosphere warm and welcoming: “Everyone was very friendly”, he said. Another diner, Christie, said: “It was great to meet other vegetarians and vegans. It’s been fantastic!”
Some people came along because they remembered Hendersons of old (in some cases from many decades ago), some wanted to learn more about VfL, while others wanted to meet with like-minded people and enjoy a great-tasting lunch. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. “Great idea,” Claire told us, “a lovely way to meet some like-minded folk and enjoy tasty Hendersons' food. I hope it will become a regular thing.” Jeanna agreed, saying: “The food was lovely, and the chat was good too.”
“It was very nice,” said Margaret, “I would certainly do it again.”
Following the lunch club's success, VfL plans to hold another. We hope to see even more new faces at the next one, and all older veggies and vegans are welcome!
A big thank you to Clara and Barrie at Hendersons for hosting the event and providing the delicious food. Thank you also to VfL Friend Craig, whose help with this event was much appreciated!
Our next lunch club will be held on Monday 28 October. Please pre-book to avoid disappointment! If you can’t make that date, there will be another one on Monday 25 November.
To book, quote "lunch club 2024” when phoning Hendersons on 0131 202 1635 or email: help@hendersonsrestaurant.com
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