Student cooks for elderly neighbour giving her a 'reason to keep going'

When a stroke robbed Zena Ware of the use of the left side of her body, she became isolated and lonely and found it increasingly difficult to cook for herself.

But last April, when 23-year-old student Amelia Johnston knocked on her door with a warm plate of food, it was a welcome surprise.

Ms Johnston, who is in her fourth year of studying medicine at Dundee University, cooks dinner for the 86-year-old every Thursday as part of her voluntary work with Meal Makers, and the pair have since become close friends.

“I always leave Zena’s home with a huge smile on my face," she said. “I love cooking and she lives in the street next to mine, so it’s perfect."

She added: “I didn’t know what to expect when I first visited Zena but she made me feel so welcome. To talk to someone with so many years of wisdom and experience helps you put life into perspective.”

More than just a dinner

Ms Ware, who lived in Zimbabwe and Canada with her late husband Michael, moved back to the UK in 2014 after having a stroke, which left her weak down one side and unable to cook.

The retired nurse moved into sheltered accommodation and signed up to Meal Makers - a project that connects people who enjoy cooking and are happy to share an extra portion of a home cooked meal with an older neighbour.

"I can't wait to open the door to Amelia, she is a ray of sunshine" said Ms Ware, "her weekly visits put a spring in my step and give me a reason to keep going. She is a fabulous cook and makes me wonderful dinners."

She added: "We sit and chatter all the time about my past life. I get to share all my memories and adventures, from falling in love to travelling around the world, and she tells me about her course and training as a doctor."

Their time together has become a weekly highlight for both. Ms Johnston has even brought her sisters, friends and flatmates along to meet Ms Ware.

“She’s so young at heart, she just loves to be involved with all of us."

Supporting older people at home

Meal Makers is part of Food Train, a charity working across eight regions of Scotland providing weekly food access, meal sharing, befriending, library deliveries and home support visits to older people.

The charity has almost 3,000 service users across Scotland and engages almost 1,000 volunteers to deliver the services locally.

For more information visit: www.thefoodtrain.co.uk/our-services/meal-makers