I WOULD like to sincerely thank the Malvern Gazette for featuring news that Zest For Life is now open at the Octagon Community Centre, Brook Farm Drive, every Wednesday from noon until 2pm.

At a time of year when many will overindulge with food and welcome distant family to their homes, we will be creating a virtual family getting together on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve for hotpot, dumplings and chef-prepared pancakes to order – all this in a money-free zone.

Anyone can pop along and share their love for our community, bringing together those that are family-rich with full larders with those that miss one of those elements. There is such potential joy in chatting to people that take an interest in you, and you in them.

If residents cannot come before on Christmas or New Year's Eve, we will still be preparing vegetarian hotpot and pancakes every Wednesday throughout 2015, and no money changes hands when 'family' like you visit us.

Vegetable donations always needed – tinned, frozen or fresh – and even if you have no time to stay and eat with us your support is very valued.

You can always join us next year when South Worcestershire College students attend for free manicures/pedicures, hair-up and braiding and Indian head massage.

Martin Lawrence

The Octagon Community Centre

Malvern