It will offer meals created from surplus food from food retailers, including supermarkets, supplied by the food charity Fareshare.

Ossie's Kitchen's first guests were welcomed by a team of volunteers who had cooked a three-course meal and prepared St Oswald’s Church Centre with tables featuring table mats of drawings by children who entered a school’s art competition held earlier in the year.

The Venerable Carol Coslett, Archdeacon of Chesterfield, was there on the opening day. Archdeacon Carol said: "How thrilled the Diocese is that St Oswald’s Church is engaging with the community of Ashbourne in such a loving and compassionate way."

Fiona Unwin, of Derbyshire County Council Health and Wellbeing, described it as "a wonderful first event". She said: "I could feel the positivity and it was just wonderful to see so many happy folk.  The volunteers - every one of them - were just smashing! The food was absolutely excellent!  Thoroughly enjoyed it.” Derbyshire County Council is helping to fund the café

Ossie’s Kitchen next opens on Tuesday, 23 July from 4pm to 6pm and then on the fourth Tuesday of each month at St Oswald’s Church Centre, Ashbourne DE6 1AN.

Anyone looking for companionship and a home cooked meal is welcome to come along and find out more.

For more information or to book a place call Nigel or Maggie on 01335 664159.