Dragon Dinners

15/05/2022

Hello all you Lovelies! It's long lost me! I've just jumped on to give you an update as so many of you still check in on me (you're all fabulous ❤).

The first 6 rounds of chemo and surgery are done but due to the type of Cancer I had I've still got another year of preventative chemo to go. This unfortunately means that sadly there is no possibility of Dragon Dinners starting back up again 🥺

To make myself useful i've made it my mission to raise awareness of Breast Cancer in younger adults alongside the importance of self checking and knowing your body.

I've started a website/blog - The Cancer Hack - a safe space to share information and support for anyone who needs it.

If you would like to have a nosey and give it a share you can find it here ⏬️⏬️. Love and best wishes to you all. Jodie x

www.thecancerhack.co.uk

Hi I'm Jodie welcome to my blog! I'm a Mum, Social Worker & Breast Cancer battler from North Wales UK. My cancer cannon balled into my lovely 33 year old life back in September 2021 the day after my daughters 9th birthday (I know how rude right!).  People ask me what's it like living with cance...

26/02/2022

Hello Everyone!

Just a quick update because you're all so lovely and so many of you have sent me gorgeous messages over the months.

Yesterday I rang the end of chemo bell! It's not the end of treatment yet but it's a start.

Told you I'd be like the daffodils popping back up in spring 💛

Hope you and all your families are well.

Jodie x

20/01/2022

😔 We are devastated to share the news that unfortunately our last day of trading will be Friday 28th January. We will be forever grateful for all the love and support that was shown to us and to all our wonderful Lovelies that made our dream come true. Please see the letter below that went out today to be shared with anyone our closure affects 😔

Re: Closure of Dragon Dinners

We sincerely hope that you and your family are keeping safe and well in these continuingly challenging times.
It is with regret that we have had to make the devasting decision to close Dragon Dinners with effect from Friday 28th January 2022.
Over the past few months, we have tried our absolute best to keep the service running as well as we have been able to. However as with any not for profit company we rely on grant funding which due to Jodie’s ongoing illness we have been unable to obtain. We have made every effort to continue but with no financial reserves to maintain, grow or develop we have been left with no other option but to close.
We would like to take this opportunity to express a heartfelt and sincere thank you for all of your support over the past two years. This business was always our dream and you our wonderful customers made it come true. We are so very sorry that we have been unable to find a viable solution to keep the service running and the guilt of letting all of you down will continue to weigh heavily on us.
As you know we are both so passionate about championing the rights of older adults and we are desperately hoping that once I return to health, we will be able to resurrect the business to its former glory.
We have always considered you all as so much more than just ‘customers’ and as such if you would like to talk to us further regards the closure please do not hesitate to give us a ring.

With kindest regards & love
Jodie & Nicola

03/01/2022

❗ Unfortunately due to a positive staff covid case we have no alternative but to delay re-opening until Monday 10th January ❗

As a small skeleton team we have exhausted our contingency options and sincerely apologize for the short notice. All our customers are currently being contacted.

With our fingers crossed and a little bit of luck normal service will resume next week x

02/01/2022

It may be a new year but so many will be enduring the same struggles. January is often the hardest month to make ends meet so grab a carrier bag and head down. No food should be going to waste x

31/12/2021

Hello Lovelies!

Nicola and I would like to extend our sincere best wishes to each and everyone of you and your families for the new year.

Today is Chemo no 4/6 for me - I'm getting there. I miss work and our Lovelies more than I could ever articulate but this is just for now and not forever.

In the next few weeks we are unfortunately having to reduce down to a skeleton service to ensure the buisness can continue to function in these incredibly challenging times. We are beyond frustrated that we have had to halt our expansion but we can't pour from empty cups.

In 2022 we will be back bigger and better than ever. We've always been driven by our utter passion to make a real difference and demand better for all the Lovelies and their Carers that we support.

Only positive vibes 💛🎈

Love and best wishes to you all x x

24/12/2021

Flashback to Christmas Eve last year 🎅🌲🎅

Never could we have foreseen that some of the most difficult challenges were yet to come.

Nicola and I would like to sincerely thank everyone who continues to support Dragon Dinners. We've been shown such kindness especially over the past few months which hasn't gone unnoticed.

I can't lie and say I've been sailing through my treatment (it's been worse than awful) but on a positive my 4th Chemo is on NYE and there's only 2 more after that! My personal sincere thanks go to Nicola, Laura & Carla for working so hard to keep the wheels turning and to Shaun for looking after me so well.

From all of us at Dragon Dinners we wish you and our Lovelies a wonderful Christmas and look forward to a happy and healthy 2022!

🌲🎅🎁🌲🎅🎁

17/12/2021

Always someone willing to help 🖤 amazing kindness x

BOXING DAY BAP & HOT DRINK

Having a hard time this Christmas?

On Boxing Day, 26/12/21, Natalie and Wayne will be at the Turf Butty Van on Mold Road LL11 2AH, between 8.00 am and 10.30 am.

They will be offering a free breakfast bap and a hot drink for anyone struggling to feed themselves and their families this Christmas. They also have some selection boxes for families with children.

Best wishes and Merry Christmas: Please stay warm and safe!

15/12/2021

Unfortunately the Beautiful Christmas Garden was visited at 20:30pm last night by these 3 less than lovely individuals who proceeded to slash the Christmas tree - which judging by the damage can have only been done with a knife.

Aside from this needless vandalism how absolutely disturbing that someone's friend/teenager is walking around Acton behaving in this manner North Wales Police

In this instance the vile minority haven't won as thankfully so many of you Lovelies have visited, enjoyed and donated in aid of Shooting Star Unit 🌲💛. The display will continue to run until the new year with Cracker the Christmas Bear waiting to welcome all you LOVELY people!

03/12/2021

The best Christmas Gift you could give yourself 🎅🎀🎅🎀🎅🎀🎅🎀🎅🎀🎅🎀🎅🎀🎅🎀🎅

Wrexham and Flintshire latest news, headlines and pictures from The Leader

30/11/2021

🌟🎅 Shooting Stars & Christmas Spirit! 🎅🌟

This year our very own Shauny Claus has turned his garden into a festive wonderland to raise funds for Wrexham Shooting Star Ward!

The lights will be turned on 01.12.21 and every weekend evening in the run up to Christmas you can visit Cracker the Christmas Bear in his Garden Grotto for a cheeky chocolate treat 🎁

This is a cause close to our hearts as Shooting Star are currently providing me with fantastic care and treatment following diagnosis a few months ago. Any donations can be left with Cracker 🐻 and all are gratefully recieved.

As ever we continue to raise awareness and in and amongst the Reindeers you'll find information from 🎀 Breast Cancer Now 🎀 reminding you how to self check.

It's the best present you can give yourself this year!

Jingle your Christmas Bells over to

195 Herbert Jennings Avenue, Acton Park, LL12 7YE - to support this fantastic cause.

Many thanks to Shaun for his amazing efforts & Merry Christmas 🎁🎅🌟

Jodie & Nicola x

11/11/2021

Once upon a lockdown.......

We're in print! Thanks to the brilliant Network She for asking us to be part of this capsule in history. Little old us in a real book avaliable to purchase on Amazon 💕

Small but mighty! 💛

Lockdown Legacy https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1838405011/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_apa_glt_i_QRNM68W7XAQKR3QCQS4A

09/11/2021

🏆 Winner Winners Dragon Dinners!! 🏆

In the Best Of Welsh Business Awards 2021 we've won 2 awards!!!!!!

Officially

🏆Best New Buisness 2021
🏆Kind Heart Award 2021

Eeeekkkk what fabulous awards!!!!!

Due to circumstances we were gutted to not have been able to travel down to the awards on Sunday. However we are SO SO chuffed to have even been nominated never mind win!

Times have been so difficult lately and we haven't been able to run at our normal speed or help nowhere near as many as we would like - but this has given us a massive boost!

For our efforts to be recognised is AMAZING

We may be temporarily down - but we are nowhere near out! Many thanks to our wonderful staff and supporters who always believed in us and of course our Lovelies - this ones for you 💛

Jodie & Nicola x x

29/10/2021

🎃 Trick or Treatment Day 🎃

Well hello there strangers!!

Today I'm starting Chemo and the fight back to health and the kitchen!!

Nicola and Laura have done a sterling job keeping the wheels turning in the hardest of times - and I'm so proud! We are so grateful for all of the patience and kindness we have been shown 💛

Missing Dragon HQ and all our Lovelies but today is the day the tide starts to turn 💛.

Have a lovely Halloween Weekend all - stay spooky 🎃👻

Love Jodie x x

14/10/2021

Evening all 🙌

I just wanted to pop on to say a massive thank you for all your lovely messages and continued support - you've been amazing!

Nicola continues to work so hard alongside Laura to keep the wheels turning and knowing all our Lovelies are still getting fed makes this whole nightmare a little easier.

Things have moved quickly in my now blurry world 🤣🙈 and today I had my mop chopped to donate to Littleprincesstrust - because good will come from this! I'm starting chemo next week which will take me another step closer to beating this.

So many people have been in touch to say they have been to their GP's to get various lumps and bumps checked following my diagnosis which just means the world! Cancer is so sneaky and relies on you being to busy to check or see your GP to grow and take over. Early diagnosis is key!

Every day I miss my job beyond belief but the dream that was Dragon Dinners is still there and I cannot wait until I'm back in the kitchen.

Much love, Jodie x x

07/10/2021

⭐ Due to unavoidable circumstances we will be closed next Thursday 14th October. Normal service will resume Friday 15th October ⭐

Nicola & Jodie x

30/09/2021

Keep Calm & Pom Pom On!

Those Crafternoon Sessions came in handy! How fabulous is my new chemo head warmer made by our lovely Laura 🖤

Still causing chaos with my foot long hot water bottle @ Dragon HQ until my treatment plan comes through 🤣. As always we keep our heads high and carry on 💪👊💪

26/09/2021

⭐ * * Important Update * * ⭐

This isn't a post I ever dreamed I would write but unfortunately I (Jodie) am having to take at least a 6 month step back from the buisness due to an unexpected Breast Cancer diagnosis at 33. We have always been absolutely honest in all that we do so it is only right that we explain why our service has been a little disrupted of late.

This buisness has been my dream and I've lived, loved and breathed every second of it for the past 18 months. I am hopeful that this is very much a temporary step for me and Nicola is determined to continue to fly our flag keeping all our Lovelies fed & well.

Please bare with us over the next few days and weeks as we organise ourselves as we endeavor to keep disruption to a minimum with BUISNESS AS USUAL

I can't begin to explain how much I absolutely love what I do and how much I will miss everyone. However it's just goodbye from me for a little while and I'll hopefully be like the daffodils popping back up next spring!

Many thanks to everyone who continues to support us and to Wrexham Feast who still publicised us this weekend despite us having to pull out at short notice.

Stay Lovely
Jodie x x

23/09/2021

We are looking to recruit an experienced Cook to join us in our busy kitchen. Duties to include the preparation of our daily hot dinners and puddings for our community meals on wheels service. General kitchen management including stock rotation and completion of daily records. We also run a canteen service within the factory which entails providing breakfasts, taking orders & payments.

The ideal candidate for the post will be a motivated and passionate individual ideally with a love for traditional cooking. We are a values based company and as such it is imperative to us that you share our ethos and drive.

We operate from a commercial kitchen using large cooking equipment. Therefore it is essential that candidates are physically fit and able to perform the requirements of the role.

Located on Wrexham Industrial estate.
Basic Food Hygiene / catering qualifications are desirable.
Full factory induction will be given and uniform provided.
Monday to Friday: 08:30 - 12:30
Self Employed £8.75 ph with holiday entitlement.

21/09/2021

A u t u m n C r u m b l e

To all those who have donated the most wonderful box loads of apples, blackberries and damsons - we wouldn't be able to crumble without you!

Just cosyness on a spoon 🖤

18/09/2021

New Menu - New Bow Tie 🎀 🤣

Well isn't little Dragon Dog looking suarve!

All fresh for the Autumn season. Check out our new menus that see the return of our cosy scrumptious favorites 😋

www.dragondinners.co.uk

17/09/2021

Appalling 😭

Please support those in your community who may need a little help. There are some useful tips at
https://www.northwales.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/

We are continuing to support in a bid to bring communities together to reduce burglaries in our town this winter. Keeping an eye on your neighbours can make all the difference x

Appeal after three individuals target home of 98-year-old woman in “sickening burglary” An appeal has been launched following a “sickening burglary” which saw three men target the home of an elderly lady. The shocking incident took place at around 11:30pm last night (Wednesday 15 September) ...

17/09/2021

Well this is exciting 🖤

We've been asked to do a demo cooking session as part of the Saturday line up...eeeekkkkk

So proud of all our little company has achieved! Looking forward to seeing everyone at what looks to be a fantastic event for our town 😀

Well, September is finally here!! The Wrexham Feast will be taking over Llwyn Isaf on the last weekend of this month!
We have a whole host of amazing businesses bringing their tasty treats, fantastic crafters with their makes, Chefs from all over the county, Live Music, Free Children's activities, Fairground and much more!!

Tickets are available via our website wrexhamfeast.com

We are proud to be working in partnership with some amazing local businesses, with a massive shoutout to BKNC Kitchens for sponsoring our demo kitchen!

We look forward to welcoming you all to the festival on 25th & 26th September!!

If you would like to get involved or volunteer at the festival get in touch with us for more information [email protected]

09/09/2021

It's not just chocolate we take seriously in our kitchen......

This week our wonderful staff have seriously reached new heights. Such dedication, positivity and kindness in bucket loads - even a few familiar faces popping back to help us out. Our team is amazing..and we would be absolutely lost without them 🖤

06/09/2021

This is SO frustrating & disheartening because we can help!!!!

We have contacted the Local Authority on so many occasions to offer to take the comissioned meals calls to free up some capacity within domicillary care agencies to get things moving - to no avail

Meals calls we can sort! Small steps can lead to big changes and these are people's lives!

We will never give up because we know that individuals do so much better within their own homes.

It could be so simple and make such a difference! But instead of working preventatively to often we end up supporting individuals in crisis - it doesn't need to get to that point.

So grateful for this communities wonderful support- you keep us going 🖤

Wrexham Town Matters Leader Live

Care Forum Wales

He is unable to leave after five weeks in hospital due to a lack of community carers, his wife says.