Alton's first Warm Winter Community Lunch was held at the Alton Assembly Rooms on January 13.

More than 70 guests and their carers were invited by the A31 PCN Social Prescribing team, Dementia-friendly Alton and the Parish of the Resurrection churches.

Everyone enjoyed sharing a lovely two-course warm lunch, followed by some uplifting live entertainment from local singer Jack Trinder.

Alton Town Council said: “This winter we were delighted to be able to bring some of the most vulnerable and isolated members of our community together to share food and friendship at the Warm Winter Community Lunch.

“January can feel incredibly lonely, so being invited to this free community lunch event was an excellent way for people to keep connected and forge new community ties.”

All of this could not have happened without the aid of an amazing group of community-minded volunteers who helped with the arranging and staging of the event and also stepped in with the serving and clearing away.

The volunteers also provided conversation and offered a friendly face, making everyone feel very welcome at the event and making sure no-one was sat alone.

The council hopes they also enjoyed the social interaction and the feelgood feeling of helping their community.

This event was made possible by donations from Resurrection Furniture and The Holybourne Complin Trust, plus community grants from Hampshire county councillor Andrew Joy and East Hampshire district councillors Barbara Tansey, Emily Young and Warren Moore.

It was organised by Alton Town Council with support from Dementia-friendly Alton and the A31 PCN Social Prescribing team, after council community projects and enhancements officer Emily-Jane Messenger took part in the Eden Project Communities community development programme.