Every Friday we get together and offer a healthy and enjoyable meal for all people living with and affected by HIV.        
We believe that meeting others in this setting to share a meal is a great way to make new friends and to find peer support.

The lunch club is welcoming, informal and supportive of everyone who visits.
We aim to make it a place where everyone feels comfortable, included and amongst friends.

We open from midday for tea or coffee and a chat, and from 1 o'clock we serve a healthy starter, main course, vegetarian option and dessert.
You're welcome to come along any time during opening hours - and there's no need to 'book' ahead.
We serve enjoyable and quality food - each meal is well balanced and incorporates a persons '5 a day' portions of fruit and vegetables.
      
There is also plenty of information, advice and support with healthy eating and nutrition, as well as information on other local groups and services.
Throughout the year we also run healthy eating and cookery events - for anyone who is interested in joining in with this.

We have an absolute commitment to client confidentiality and safety, and run the lunch club on the basis of acceptance and respect for everyone who uses the service and volunteers for it.

When you come along...

When you arrive a volunteer will be there to meet you, show you around, make you feel comfortable and introduce you to other members.
We realise that coming to 'something new' can sometimes feel like a big step to take, and we make sure we do all we can to make your visits feel relaxed and enjoyable.

There is an informal lounge area - you're welcome to help yourself to tea and coffee, and this is an ideal place to have a chat with other members and volunteers.  There's also a quieter coffee area if you'd like to use this instead.

There are magazines, newspapers, an information table and a notice board with leaflets and information on other services, local groups and activities.

News...

Pride in Brighton & Hove - August 7th 2010
Community Cafe at Preston Park

Lunch Positive staged a community cafe at Preston Park, as part of the weekends Pride in Brighton & Hove event.
It was a fantastic day, starting at 6am for some and after packing up - finishing at midnight for others!
The entire volunteer team were involved in some way - making great food, setting up the cafe, serving and clearing up, and we received fantastic comments from the public. The cafe was an ideal place to talk about our charities work and to advertise volunteering opportunities.
We raised £1,400, and we would like to thank everyone who visited us, and those who through funding, donations and other support enabled the cafe to take place - Pride, Fisher Productions, Brighton & Hove City Council, Sussex Community Foundation, ASDA Marina, Starbucks and Cooperative Stores St James's Street.

June 25th 2010
Legal & General come to volunteer

A team from Legal & General came to volunteer and help the lunch club. They put together a great meal, worked to set up the dining area for the days service and then clear up afterwards. One of the hottest days in the kitchen yet! - it was great to have our guests play a part in the session; and it gave our volunteer team some valuable time to meet and cover some additional training. 
Thanks to everyone who took part.

June 4th 2010
BUPA help with volunteering

As part of their employee volunteering scheme, and through arrangement with the Business Community Partnership, BUPA came and helped set up the lunch club and prepare the days menu.
A team of twelve helped get the dining area and kitchen set up, put together a fantastic meal, and helped wash up and close down afterwards!
The day was a great success, thank you to everyone who was involved and supported us.

May 29th 2010
Eurovision Fundraiser

Thanks to everyone who made our fundraising event such a success.
We raised £300 from collection boxes, and a £100 donation was made from the venue where the event was held -The Kings Arms on George Street.

May 7th 2010
Our second year 2010/11 Funding

We're very pleased to announce that we have recently been awarded funding towards running the lunch club for its second year.
We have been awarded £4890 by Brighton & Hove City Council,  £3500 in Grassroots Funding and £1000 from Sports Relief - both at Sussex Community Foundation; and £1000 from the Cooperative Community Fund.


The Cooperative Customer Donation Fund has awarded £805 which will enable us to train more volunteers and interested members in cookery skills, and to run regular cooking events.
Brighton & Hove Food Partnership have awarded £425 as a community kitchen grant which will help us to purchase  equipment  which we will use in these events.

We'd like to thank last years and these new funders for their support.
Our membership continues to grow, and this support is invaluable.
Over the next few months we'll keep everyone up to date here in the news section with developing plans for the lunch club during 2010 and 2011.

More details of our funders can be found on the Fundraising Page.

Lunch Positive is a Registered Charity. No. 1137186