A SOCIAL enterprise in Caerleon which offers meals on wheels and health and wellbeing classes is appealing for donations to help them buy new kitchen equipment.

The privately funded Village Services, set up on Caerleon's Lodge Estate two years ago by Julie Roberts, is run by volunteers and around 25 people attend its weekly exercise session and luncheon at Westgate Court, off Lodge Road.

Newport City Homes has installed an induction oven at Westgate Court and the volunteers need induction "stockpots" for it costing more than £150.

The group, established to tackle isolation and lack of skills, is looking for more volunteers too, explained one of the organisers Lois Greenhalgh.

"Our health and wellbeing group focuses more on elderly people and people with a disability or limited movement," she said. "But the company as a whole caters for all ages. A lot of people have unhealthy lifestyles which we want to tackle through befriending, physical exercise and healthy meals."

Visiting speakers give talks on issues like hydration and diabetes, said Mrs Greenhalgh, and people attend the group from as far away as Sebastopol. It also has a hub at the old post office off Roman Way which groups can use or individuals can just pop in.

"We are always looking for volunteers, we're crying out for them," said Mrs Greenhalgh. "We've had grants from Newport City Homes and the Big Lottery but we rely on donations from the community. We are trying to secure funding streams."

Anyone who can help the group can contact Mrs Greenhalgh by emailing lois@village-enterprise-wales.org, calling 01633 376077, or dropping in to Village Services at 7 Gloucester Court, Caerleon.