A Bishop Auckland community centre has received over £11,700 which will allow it to continue to run a lunch club, day club and meals on wheels service for older people.
The money was granted to Woodhouse Close Church Community Centre by Bishop Auckland and Shildon Area Action Partnership (AAP) from its Older Persons Social Isolation fund.
Durham County Council allocates each of the county’s 14 area actions partnerships with this funding, to support projects in their areas which improve life for older people.
In the Bishop Auckland area, the AAP chose to spend part of its funding on supporting the vital lunch and day clubs, and meals on wheels service, which make such a significant difference to the lives of older and disabled residents who would otherwise be socially isolated and miss out on healthy meals.
The meals on wheels service helps older people to maintain their independence by delivering hot, healthy meals to their home twice a week, whilst the lunch and day clubs help people to make and meet friends outside their home.
The day and lunch clubs also provide a hot meal, which members eat at the community centre whilst enjoying a programme of fun activities. The clubs offer the opportunity for people to get advice about other sources of support, such as welfare benefits, too.
Peter Hall, day club coordinator, said: “Many who come to the day club live alone. The day club may be the only time members get to mix socially and enjoy various activities such as our bingo and quizzes. The meals on wheels service is very valuable too, providing a two or three course meal to those who live alone or who have specific medical conditions.”
Andrew Walker, AAP coordinator, said: “Woodhouse Close Church Community Centre offers excellent and safe services for older people in their community. On behalf of Bishop Auckland and Shildon AAP, I was delighted to be able to meet members from the church and community centre and to see first-hand the fantastic work done there, which our grant will help to fund.”
