Following COVID19, we secured funding from the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund to develop a new project in partnership with East Dunbartonshire Citizens Advice Bureau.

One of our Community Care Categories is those living with ill mental health. A Bite and A Blether is a peer-support group offering a relaxed and informal setting, where people come together over lunch to socialise and access support. Here, we provide a range of activities and information to enhance people’s mental health and wellbeing and provide routes in to Advocacy with the overall aim of reducing social isolation and loneliness.

Currently, A Bite and A Blether runs in three locations across East Dunbartonshire – Kirkintilloch, Milngavie and Auchinairn. Since its launch in June 2022, the group has supported approximately 450 attendees across all locations.

The group continues to be funded by the Community Health and Wellbeing Fund and more recently East Dunbartonshire Community Grants.

Auchinairn

Every Monday
12:30pm – 2:00pm
Wallacewell Church, 57 Northgate Rd, G21 3QT

Kirkintilloch

Every other Thursday
1pm – 2:30pm
Hillhead Parish Church, 2 Rosebank Avenue, G66 2PR

Milngavie

Every other Thursday
1:00pm – 2:30pm
The Fraser Centre, 11 Douglas St, Milngavie, G62 6PA

Please get in touch if you would like to attend one of these groups.

  • I like coming here because I know people’s faces and don’t have to worry about saying the right thing.

    Group Member living with Dementia
    A Bite and A Blether

  • [Staff member] helped me so much when I lost my husband, she made me feel like I was needed again, which is exactly what I needed at the time.

    Volunteer
    A Bite and A Blether
  • Coming to this group has enhanced my 'OAP life' tremendously. I would be absolutely lost without the cheery camaraderie of this lovely group meeting.
    Group Member
    A Bite and A Blether

  • He looks forwards to his lunch club and I think his speech and mind benefit from it afterwards having been stimulated.

    Family
    A Bite and A Blether

  • [Staff] do a great job supporting us in many ways especially emotionally when we are having a bad day.

    Group Member
    A Bite and A Blether

  • I come here to be cheered up.

    Group Member
    A Bite and A Blether

  • I was out visiting a client yesterday, she comes to both Bishopbriggs & Kirkintilloch groups, she is really struggling but has nothing but praise for you all.

    Local Area Coordinator

  • I was glad it was Monday this morning as I’ve got this group on Mondays. I like this wee group.

    Group Member
    A Bite and A Blether

  • I want to express my deepest gratitude for the wonderful experience and the opportunity to be part of such a meaningful cause.

    Volunteer
    A Bite and A Blether

  • Everyone makes you feel welcome. Staff and volunteers make you feel welcome. They are great.

    Group Member
    A Bite and A Blether

  • It was wonderful to you see again and be with friends, joining in at Bite and Blether. The loneliness was certainly put aside and replaced with love and laughter being amongst everyone.

    Group Member
    A Bite and A Blether

  • Good confidence builder!

    Group Member
    A Bite and A Blether

  • It has been great for her, she has come on so much since starting to come along.

    Family
    A Bite and A Blether

  • Thank you so much for everything you do. You have no idea how much this means to us.

    Group Member
    A Bite and A Blether

  • What a team you all are. Thank you to Ceartas. I wish I’d known about you when I cared for my mum. On the way home, [my friend] said she was so happy and felt totally uplifted from her afternoon out.

    Carer & Group Member
    Ceartas Groups

Video: What does the group mean to its members?⬇