A BIRKBY resource centre will be cooking up a storm for pensioners now their new kitchen is up and running.

After 10 years operating without a kitchen, the St John’s Resource centre has finally had the facility installed.

It will now provide piping hot meals, catering for around 60 pensioners per week.

Previously, the users would have to cut short their activities and go home for meals.

The work has been funded by The Big Lottery, Huddersfield Common Good Trust and The One Community Foundation, Allen Lane Foundation, Kirklees Partnership and Unique Care Providers.

Chairman of Huddersfield Older People’s Service, Denzil Nurse, said: “We are extremely grateful for this marvellous support and would like to thank all at One Community and the people of Kirklees for their donations.

“The project was to install kitchen facilities at the centre, so we can host lunches for older folks who use our services.

“Previously people had to go home and come back again, but thanks to this support we will be able to expand and offer folks a full day of activities.

“Now, healthy, cultural appropriate meals will become an integral part of days’ activities.”

Mrs Mattie Prescott, a long term user of the centre, performed the unveiling, thanking the 56 well wishers and representatives from the local charities who have donated to the project, for their support.

It is envisaged that the new facility will attract new users, but also lends itself for hire for charitable purposes.

The centre in St John’s Road provides accommodation and support to groups that deliver a range of services to the elderly, particularly the African Caribbean and emerging communities.

For more information on the foundation or to donate call 01484 468397.

Some of the groups who use the centre are:

Honeyzz Diabetes Support Group brings sufferers, their family friends and carers together to ‘hear and share’ experiences of living with diabetes.

Huddersfield Older Peoples’ services and activities aim to break the isolation of the housebound and to help to improve their quality of life.

Women in Action bring alive, through drama, the culture and folklore of Caribbean life to the wider community.

Education 2000 provides an intergeneration connection between the young and the older person.

Jamaica Nationals’ Society supports the elderly in the community.

Chambers’ Solicitors provide a service to refugees and Asylum – seekers.