Big Society reality for Norwich Christian charity
 2010: The government's Big Society vision is already a reality in Norwich with a Christian organisation running a successful lunch and friendship club which now has more vacancies.
David Cameron spoke of empowered communities and fostering a culture of volunteering - something that the club run by Community Action Norwich has been doing for the past five years.
The club is aimed at over 55s and is based at New Hope Church on Martineau Lane in Lakenham. Older people living alone in Lakenham and Tuckswood make up almost 20% of the total households. With the closure of small local stores and post offices, older people’s options are reduced even more so. The government’s latest funding cuts to reduce meals on wheels to once a week only adds to further loneliness and isolation of older people.
The lunch and friendship club currently has vacancies on Tuesdays and Thursdays when people can enjoy a nourishing hot meal, transport to and from the Day Centre and a variety of morning and afternoon activities including arts & crafts, games and sports such as carpet bowls and armchair basketball.
The club opens at 10am until 3.00pm on Tuesdays and 3.30pm on Thursdays. A good two course meal is served at 12.30. Lunch costs £4, the afternoon session is £1.50 and transport door to door can be arranged for £5. On Thursdays there is a 30 minute "songs of praise" slot.
Programme manager Georgina Dalton said, "Our work is so important as it enables otherwise isolated people to look forward to a day out in good company, eat an enjoyable meal and establish friendships. This is proving to help the overall wellbeing of people helping to enable them to cope better with everyday life."
People interested in attending should contact Georgina a day prior to coming on 01603 617771.
Click here for more information about Community Action Norwich
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