ITV news films our men's cookery class for loneliness series

ITV news spoke to Age UK Barnet's men's cookery class at Hartley Hall as part of its series on men and loneliness. The film looks at how cooking classes are a way to help combat isolation

Don, 86, spoke about attending cooking classes when his wife fell ill.

'I was looking after her and it gave me a break in the day to come here for a couple of hours and then to cook,' he recalled.

'It didn't matter what I was taught, she passed away from pancreatic cancer, sadly.'

Nancy, who runs sessions at Hartley Hall in Barnet, says the classes have helped cultivate and nurture countless friendships over the years.

'The idea is to get men to socialise, but with a task. I think they get out, learning a new skill, they have company - it combats people's isolation if they are a bit lonely. They have fun and they just thoroughly enjoy it.'

As he enjoyed his latest cooking task, Don told ITV News: 'Oh no, it's not just about the food. What I most enjoy about these classes is the camaraderie.'

Click here to view the film. Scroll down and click on Don's story to see the film.