Dominik’s Radio Times

Interview

Kathleen Lane: Food Experiences In Norfolk

Feature
Interview
Programme
Community Chest
Date
8 February 2008

About this feature

In this Community Chest interview, Dominik speaks with Kathleen Lane about the CAFE project, a study on the social impact of food preparation among women over 65 in Norfolk. The conversation explores the social value of day centres, the transition from traditional kitchens to modern convenience foods, and the physical challenges mobility issues can pose for shopping.

In this interview from the programme Community Chest, Dominik speaks with Kathleen Lane regarding the CAFE project (Changes Around Food Experience). This one-year Norfolk-based study, conducted with partners including Age Concern Norfolk and the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, examined the social impact on women aged 65 and over—with an average age just under 83—who stopped preparing main meals from scratch. Lane discusses how convenience foods can facilitate socialisation and assist those with mobility issues, such as hip injuries. The conversation also covers community support systems, the value of day centres, and Lane's advice for those seeking volunteering opportunities.

Topics

  • The social and emotional associations of food
  • Impact of technology and convenience on cooking habits
  • Cultural backgrounds and heritage of the studio participants
  • Community support and accessibility for immobile women
  • The social value of village shops and day centres
  • Challenges and opportunities in volunteering

Guests

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Kathleen Lane: Women, Food And The Social Side Of Meals

Community Chest · Spoken extract

Kathleen Lane explains that the CAFE project talks to women in Norfolk aged over 65 who no longer prepare most of their main meals from scratch, and asks about the social effects of that, not nutrition.

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Twinkle in her eye, and she said, "I love not missing it." So I think the main thing is we can't make one rule that just because you know one person reaches seventy or another person reaches eighty-two that this.

That she could spend more time actually with her friends when they came over to her place, you know, for a visit. And again, the importance of the socialisation around food is is really really key. There are different providers of frozen.

Make the effort to help. Oh dear, that's a difficult one because I'm I'm not here as someone who is from the the volunteer bureau, but I would say you know keep keep at it, and if sadly one place doesn't appear to respond to you, then then go somewhere else.