A FAMILY pub chain is offering grandparents a free carvery this winter – if they can get hold of one very special code.
Farmhouse Inns is giving pensioners the chance to dine for free throughout November, in a bid to tackle loneliness this winter.
The scheme has been dubbed the ‘Grand Day Out’ and will be available for the whole month.
But for those wanting to claim their buffet dinner, they will first need to purchase any kid’s meal or junior carvery and say the code word ‘A Grand Day Out’ at the till.
The offer, which aims to bring families together this winter, is available every Tuesday across all Farmhouse Inns pubs in the UK.
The initiative was launched following national research which revealed that nearly half of Brits aged 65 and over experience feelings of loneliness up to five times a week.
Almost a quarter of these also admitted to going multiple days without seeing anyone – with many revealing their loneliness came from feeling less relevant to the people around them.
More than half of the pensioners surveyed said it was in the evening when they felt loneliest, and almost a third admitted to rarely or never being invited to social occasions by family or friends.
Hannah Davison, Marketing Manager at Farmhouse Inns, said: “Feelings of loneliness and isolation are an issue that affects a lot of us, particularly our grandparents and older loved ones during the colder and darker months.
“At Farmhouse Inns, we believe nothing brings people together more than a delicious carvery enjoyed with family and friends in a pub and we’ve launched a ‘Grand Day Out’ to ensure our eldest family members can do just that.
“We hope that families around the country take this opportunity to treat their grandparents with a carvery plate filled to the brim on us.”
Some 29 per cent of those aged 65 and over have a roast dinner once a week, more so than any other generation and almost double those aged between 25-34.
Actor and author Sherrie Hewson, 74, who has partnered with the pub, called time spent with family and friends “valued time to savour for anyone”.
Sherrie added: “As a proud grandma, there is literally nothing I love doing more than spending time with my grandchildren. The energy they have is infectious and making memories with them is something I cherish more than anything.
“It’s clear that loneliness and isolation affects a lot of grandparents and elderly people and what Farmhouse Inns is offering families to help tackle this is wonderful.
“I’d encourage all families to take their grandparents or elderly loved one to their nearest Farmhouse Inns pub this month to enjoy each other’s company over a carvery covered in gravy, what could be better?”
