131 Club helps combat social isolation

Age UK Tameside’s 131 Club is a great place to meet people, eat a home-cooked two-course meal, get involved in fun and interesting activities and it’s run by a great staff and volunteer team who really care about older people !

Based out of their Katherine Street premises in Ashton under Lyne, they do everything from creative arts and crafts, sing-alongs to all your favourite tunes, arm -chair travel, indoor bowling, chair-based exercise, quizzes, games, good old karaoke and they always start the day with a healthy breakfast.

We spoke to Community Engagement Worker Kate Potter who says “a typical day at the 131 Club open Monday to Friday, clients arrive around 10am, enjoy tea & toast on arrival, there’s always a morning activity, for example a key speaker talking about how to research your family history, there’s games, puzzles, we arrange trips out, cooking and much more. There’s also the garden outside people can get involved with. At lunch we serve  two-course meal, then more activities in the afternoon"

Loneliness is a key factor for many older people and visiting the 131 Club is a lifeline for some. Friendships are formed by people visiting. In a recent survey from the people who visit, one of the questions asked “Why do you like coming to the Club”, the most popular answer was to get out of the house, combat social isolation and being lonely”

For those who struggle with mobility, Age UK Tameside have a minibus, which can pick them up and take them home.

Pamela Hankinson has been attending the group every week for the past 10 years and says “visiting the 131 Club is fantastic. If I wasn’t coming here I would be sat at home looking at the four walls. The people are beautiful, they look after you, it really makes a difference, it’s really wonderful!”

Other members said…..

• “I love having my lunch and a good natter with my friends.”
• “I absolutely love spending the day with Age UK. I also get free membership to Studio 131 which is great for keeping me fit.”
• “I love that you can choose different activities, I’ve tried so many new things.”
• “I look forward to having a day out at the 131 Club, I get dressed up and have a great laugh.”

 The 131 Club also have a Garden Club for any green-fingered club members who enjoy gardening, this is an excellent low-impact way to exercise, and good for your overall wellbeing. Whether you are growing ornamental plants or edible ones, spending time outside gardening can be a fantastic and uplifting hobby to take up.

Their "Out Out" Club for 131 Club members is a chance for them to visit great places, see the sights and share experiences. All of the trips are subsidised through their own fundraising efforts and chosen in partnership with the 131 Club committee 

If you’d like to know more about the 131Club visit click https://www.ageuk.org.uk/tameside/our-services/131-club/the-131-club/ or call 0161 308 5000