By Rachel Cole, Senior Projects Officer
Thurcroft Luncheon Club has been running now for approximately 7 years and is going from strength to strength. It takes place every Wednesday at the Thurcroft Hub and over 50 people, the majority over 70 years of age, attend this. At the Luncheon Club the members have a hot two course meal, which is subsidised, two games of bingo and a go on a free raffle. Some weeks there is also a speaker who attends to advise them on different topics i.e., fire service, energy projects etc. The Luncheon Club is a great success, and the members really enjoy attending this every week. For some members this is the only time they leave the house and get to speak to other people, this preventing loneliness and isolation. They also have two days trips a year and hold a Christmas Party with gifts and entertainment in December.
The luncheon club is run by volunteers who I helped become constituted 5 years ago. The Big Local project has always helped fund this project, however, Big Local is now coming to an end so there will be no more funding from them available. Over the past 3 years I have been successful in getting grants for the luncheon club which has helped enabled them to carry on for the members at a subsidised rate. Now Big Local is coming to an end, the grants are even more important for the club.
I recently submitted an Awards for All funding bid to cover the rent of the Hub for 12 months, two-day trips and a Christmas party with a three-course meal, a gift for all members and entertainment where members can have a sing and dance. We received confirmation yesterday that the grant has been successful which is fantastic news for them.
I hope the Luncheon Club continues to be the success it is today as it is needed and wanted by so residents in Thurcroft village and the surrounding areas.
