Come dine with Muirhouse

Muirhouse Housing Association is serving up a weekly dinner party aimed at tenants looking for company thanks to funding secured by two of its housing officers.

The initiative – masterminded by Susanne Connell and Chris Purnell - held its Christmas dinner on Monday 19 December, and takes the form of a weekly three course meal offered entirely free of charge.

Known as Come Dine with Us, it is a winter warmer of a way of bringing tenants together and creating companionship in the dark winter months.

Judging by the take up by tenants the Monday evening gathering is proving a hit with around 30 coming along.

It was made possible thanks to Muirhouse Housing Association providing £3,000 together with £2,912 in funding secured by the Association from the aptly named “Coorie in for Winter” programme from the “Edinburgh Wellbeing Pact.”

Muirhouse’s Housing Officer, Susanne Connell said: “There is no doubt that this project has caught the public mood and proved an instant hit with our tenants.

“Not only does it provide nourishing, enjoyable food in a warm environment, but it allows tenants to interact with one another and help banish the winter blues.”

Muirhouse Chief Executive Susan Bell added: “Ensuring we do our bit to tackle loneliness and isolation in our community – especially among those who are single – remains an important part of our work.

“In the face of the cost of living challenges, we as a housing association are ideally placed to make a difference and Come Dine With Us tackles this very issue. We remain very grateful for the funding received to make this important initiative happen.”

Tenant John Potter said: “This is a brilliant idea. It is something to look forward to each Monday. It gets you out of the house and helps you to meet your neighbours and others you’ve never met before.” 

Everyone attending the event was given a festive goodie bag as a gift from Muirhouse.