Published Date: Feb 26th, 2024
The sound of happy chatter and the aroma of fish suppers permeate Waid Community Campus, in Anstruther, every last Friday of the month as young and old get together for a Bite and a Blether.
Last week they were joined by Fife Provost Jim Leishman who popped along to enjoy a fish tea with the regular attendees.
Bite and a Blether Fridays have been running since 2019 and are an amazing intergenerational project, which brings together young and old to the benefit of both. For the older people, from across North East Fife, this monthly event gets them out of the house and provides them with a cooked meal. For the pupils it gives them good work experience.
But that's just the tip of the iceberg. What Bite and a Blether is really about is conversation, company and building bridges between the generations.
Provost Leishman was full of praise for the programme, saying: “What a delight it has been to see the smiles on the faces of the older people here today and watch the interaction between them and the pupils who were serving them.
“The project brings so many benefits for both of these groups. The older people get to enjoy a tasty, low cost meal and the school pupils get some invaluable work experience.
“What they both get, however, is the benefit of each other’s company. For the older people that alone is worth it’s weight in gold. For many of them the biggest problem they face is loneliness, and even for those who may have friends or family around them, they may not have much chance to interact with the younger generation. “
The programme has been running since 2019 when Waid Academy moved to an asymmetric week with a Friday afternoon off, meaning the building was unoccupied. Keen to use the space and ensure that they retained links with the community, staff and pupils came up with the Bite and a Blether idea.
The programme is run by the school, in conjunction with Facilities Management (School canteen), who provide the catering. They work with partners in the Royal Voluntary Service who support transport to the school, for those who need it, and subsidise some of the cost of the food. The over 65s who attend pay £4 for a fish tea, tea and coffee and biscuits as well as some entertainment and an opportunity for a blether.
Scott Duncan, Waid Academy Headteacher, said : “This monthly meeting gives the older people something to really look forward to. Thanks to the work of the RVS, the guests can benefit from free transport to and from Waid and people are now coming from all over North East Fife.
”The benefits for our young people are also very clear. Not only do they gain valuable work experience in catering and hospitality but they get to chat and make friends with people they might not otherwise meet."
Bite and a Blether takes place at Waid Community Campus on the last Friday of every month from 2 to 4pm. Open to anyone over the age of 65 and no need to book. Just come along and enjoy a bite to eat and a good blether.
For more information on community food projects and other Cost of Living advice go to our.fife.scot/gethelp