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Islington Tribune - by ROISIN GADELRAB
Published: 02 January 2009

Chefs Gouled Mohamed, Mateus Lutumba, Mandela Brown and Ahmed Yaslem prepare to welcome their elderly guests with a festive feast

‘Well done!’ Chefs cook for the elderly

THERE was speed dating with a difference at a special Christmas dinner made by youngsters for pensioners from nearby day centres on Wednesday.
Members of the White Lion Youth Centre cooked up a three-course Christmas banquet for their elderly visitors from Muriel Street, Highbury and Carnegie day centres.
Under the direction of Paul Thomas, from the centre’s West Indian diner, Paul’s Cafe, and Mandela Brown, the young chefs whipped up a feast of turkey, lamb, plantain and all the trimmings.
The meal was followed by an afternoon of entertainment with karaoke, bingo, poetry and a novel twist on speed dating – speed befriending – during which the teenagers and senior citizens spent one minute getting to know one another before moving on to the next person.
The festive feast was organised by Barnsbury Safer Neighbourhoods Team, the White Lion Youth Centre, Muriel Street Care Home and Care UK.
Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Vennis Stewart and White Lion Centre head Judith Samuel were the driving forces behind the event.
Ms Samuel said: “These young people decided to put something back into the community by bringing the group of elderly people to the centre. We’re going to continue into the new year with a video diary project.”
PCSO Stewart said: “The young people come from a wide range of different backgrounds and faiths. Regardless of this they will be helping to make this a memorable day for the older residents of Islington.This is an opportunity for the young people to give something back to their local community and will help to break down barriers between the young and old of Islington.”
Cllr Paula Belford, Islington Council’s executive member for children and young people, said: “This is a great idea. Well done to all the young people who’ve chosen to take part. This is the true spirit of Christmas. But it isn’t just a one-off, as this project to bring our young and old people together will continue in the new year too.”

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