b'Cooking up new skills After the passing of her husband, Eleanor found support and connection through the St Marks Planned Activity Group. Her beloved husband, Cavall, had activelyWhen the team at St Marks offered cooking engaged with St Marks in the years leadinglessons online and over the phone, Eleanor up to his passing, enjoying the activities whilejumped at the chance.She was interested in Eleanor took breaks from caring.learning about Indian cooking, so she reached After Cavall passed away, the team from Stout to ask for lessons. Marks kept in touch with Eleanor. When theIm learning to cook with ingredients I havent COVID-19 lockdowns came, Eleanor was blownused before. Its been very interesting and fun away by their consistent care. to learn new dishes, says the 85-year-old. They were very kind and often called me toOnce lockdown lifted, Eleanor starting cooking see how I was going, as I now live alone, saysIndian food for her family and friends.Eleanor.They sent me activities to keep meI like learning new things. It keeps my mind occupied, and a volunteer would call once aactive, she says. Most importantly, it broke week for a chat. up the loneliness of being on my own during That contact was very important to me,lockdown - and I had something delicious toespecially during the time we couldnt have eat at the end of it!any visitors. It helped to keep me going.The photo accompanying this story is for illustrative purposes only. It is not a photo of the person featured in this story.Uniting Vic.Tas Annual Report 2020-2021 21'