It started as an effort to serve a little food and friendship to a few of the Cotswolds' more elderly citizens - and now it caters for 2,000 annually.

It is a story not uncommon among similar county lunch clubs, that they opened to cater for what was thought might be a small number of isolated residents in their communities - and ended up inundated.

And like those other clubs, Cotswold Friends' gatherings have become recognised for the greater impact they have on their community, which has helped the charity win financial support from the likes of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner's £1 million Commissioners Fund.

"The services we provide would not exist without the financial support of OPCC and other grants and trusts," said Amanda Howard, chief executive officer of Cotswolds Friends, which is based in Moreton Area Centre, High Street, Moreton-in-Marsh.

"The lunch clubs are very popular. Attendance has grown from 55 to over 300 attendances a month and from three clubs to 12 with some clubs increasing frequency to meet local need.

"The gender balance now reflects local demographics; previously many more women attended than men but the move of lunch clubs to pubs has attracted men."

Cotswolds Friends' story began four decades ago with its original and simple purpose to provide community transport, befriending, carer respite and community activities.

"The service helps pubs to be at the heart of communities and their generous provision of home cooked meals at greatly discounted prices makes the clubs much more inclusive than they would otherwise be," added Ms Howard.

"Attendees benefit from social interaction, peer support, camaraderie, friendship, something to look forward to and the feeling that they are cared for and part of their community."

"Communities that come forward to help themselves by identifying their own problems (such as loneliness and rural isolation) and volunteer to drive, visit, shop and provide carer respite for others are certainly stronger and more resilient.

"Everyone feels cared for and connected and the damaging effects of loneliness and isolation on individuals and communities are much less.

"People who volunteer feel part of something worthwhile and work hard to protect and support the valuable community they have created.

"Over time those people who have helped others can rely on community support themselves. A lot of the issues that rise with older people and need police support are due to isolation and loneliness.

"Criminals often target homes that look vulnerable and people who have no visitors or community support."

"What is particularly valuable is the long-term support of funders like the OPCC who really understand the work we do and are committed to providing on-going support. This allows us to plan and grow services to meet growing community need."

 Click here to find out more about Cotswold Friends, here to find out more about the lunch clubs and on this link to find out more about the OPCC's commissioner's Fund .