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Spirit of Manchester Story - Luncheon club provides safe, friendly environment for local senior citizens

28 Sep 2018 - 17:15 by tony.russ

Whitemoss Youth Club and Community Centre is celebrating it’s 62nd Anniversary this year. Run by young and older volunteers the centre caters for children aged 6 to 19 or 25 with disabilities and senior citizens through a regular luncheon club.

The luncheon club is our feature for todays Spirit story - connected with Age Friendly Manchester and North City Nomads it is safe to say that the luncheon club is a roaring success. Today (28.09.18) has seen around 20 local residents attend the centre for the latest luncheon (Biggsy’s Stew with Bumplings) supported by young and adult volunteers and Pure Innovation attending to offer their assistance in preparing, dishing up and cleaning away afterwards – it certainly has been a packed out club. One volunteer from Pure Innovation absolutely loves making custard and was adamant that today custard making was going to be their role for the day. As for Danny – everyone was calling out to Danny for their cup of tea throughout the whole session – plenty of shouts for Danny were made today! While John (Centre Manager) was calling Bingo numbers out. 

The luncheon club offers a perfect opportunity for local senior citizens to come together reducing their social isolation, connecting together and generally catching up with one another. Todays session has seen two local residents come back to the club after a period of absence after recently suffering bereavements proving that the club offers a safe, friendly and welcoming environment.

John Biggs B.E.M. who manages the centre mentioned that senior citizens in the local area of Charlestown do suffer from social isolation and so in partnership with North City Nomads a number of initiatives are offered throughout the year to help tackle this issue. This Tuesday saw 230 people visit Liverpool on an excursion which as you can imagine takes a lot of planning. Today John announced information regarding the next trip which will be for the groups Christmas meal which he knows will fill up quick.

Another outcome of hosting the luncheon club is the intergenerational work that naturally occurs with the use of young volunteers who love to listen and support the older generation. One volunteer is looking to embark in a career caring for older people and so is gaining invaluable experience to assist them in their journey to gaining employment.

Later tonight the club will open its doors to 7-11 year olds approx. 50 children will attend to offer a variety of youth initiatives using the facilities that Whitemoss Youth and Community Centre has available.

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