We were recently contacted by Heather who runs a small charity in Tarbert called Tarbert Soup Group. She had heard from one of our founding members that we sometimes have surplus food stuffs and very politely requested if we could send some her way. We were very happy to be able to give our entire monthly food donation to the group. We asked Heather to tell us a little bit more about the wonderful work they do.
1. Tell us how the Soup Group started?
It started as a soup group provision twice a week for elderly people living with loneliness in an isolated rural area. It grew over 10 years and when we were approached by another person in need of food, we began to realise that many more people were struggling in this once fairly affluent community. Previously there was a very busy fishing industry here but sadly this has died out over the years, leaving people having to upskill or seek employment beyond the area. During Covid we had to step up and ensure no one went hungry, so we travelled to Glasgow every week to collect supplies from Fareshare Glasgow and West of Scotland.
2. Tell us a little about the people you cook/provide food for.
We cook and provide for two different groups. Firstly, Tarbert Soup Group, these are people over the age of 60 who are mostly living alone, in isolation and often with disabilities. It is a lifeline to them, somewhere to belong and look forward to. Then there is the Pantry Food Share, which meets every Wednesday to enjoy soup, sandwiches, cakes, teas & coffees like the soup group. This aims to bring people of all ages together to make use of good food and a good choice of food. It reduces food waste, so we like it to be a food share rather than foodbank to reduce any stigmas in such a small rural community.
3. Tell us about your community. How does it differ to a city living?r
It is very, very different to more urban areas, where there is choice, transport, variety, no distance between where you need to get to. Rurally isolated life is a massive challenge, if you think about all the issues people in towns and cities face, this is massively amplified by living in the countryside. Poverty often goes unseen until crisis point because people do not see each other, and social opportunities are few and far between. Distances between farms, houses and villages is greater and the lack of transport, ferries, buses, taxis and no trains etc is very detrimental to people’s well-being and mental health. The cost of living here is disproportionately higher than other areas as freight costs and fuel is so much higher, which then goes into the price of food. The availability of food is determined by weather, transport, and other factors and the choice is often very limited. The cost of one tin of beans here is just under £2.
4. What are the benefits of coming together as a group to eat?
Socially and mentally, it is a lifeline, it’s something to look forward to all year round, it’s relaxed, chilled, all about being together, no one feels left out or awkward because the aim is to be open to everyone always. It’s great to have the opportunity and space to do this and make a real and lasting difference in people’s lives. The warmth and ability to charge any devices, have access to food there and then instantly and to be able to learn to cook and take away is what it is all about. No one needs to go hungry.
5. How can we improve eating habits to enable a healthier society?
By supporting groups like this and encouraging businesses and companies to donate foodstuffs or grants in order that we can reduce food waste and try different foods. Most of our groups have said they have eaten better and bigger varieties of food since coming to our groups. One lady has gone from diabetic to pre diabetic through our support, normally she would eat the cheapest most filling processed food until we started giving out food parcels. She has now been cooking healthy food and enjoying her varieties.
6. If you could invite three people (living or deceased) to join the group for lunch who would they be and why?
My dad firstly, I saved his life from a cardiac arrest on Xmas day 2017 on a rural road in the rain on the way to Xmas lunch. There was no phone signal, a passerby got a signal and air ambulance came and took over. I got one month with him totally recovered until it was decided to give him a stent exactly a month later, which he sadly never came round from, during that time we talked a lot about helping others and building in the community work that we do. My promise to him was to help anyone I could, and I know he’d be glad that’s what we are doing. The second person I’d invite would be Billy Connolly, because he is real, honest and fun and I know the groups would love him! The third person I’d invite to join us would be Lewis Capaldi…who doesn’t totally adore Lewis! He is brave, courageous, the voice of Scotland! I’d love to have a blether and laugh over a bowl of homemade soup!
Thanks to Heather for answering our questions!
