By The Tenant Involvement Team
This is a lovely active group who see the Centre as an extension of their homes and say they would be lost without it; this Centre is the perfect example of how a neighbourhood centre can be used to support the residents who live close by. Many of the residents near this Centre live alone so meeting up regular gets them out of the house and is company for them all.
On a weekly basis they hold coffee mornings, craft sessions, armchair aerobics and bingo. They also meet at the Centre for lunch on Sundays, they have this delivered in from the local Cafe. As well as activities in the Centre they have trips out as a group when they can and are looking forward to their annual trip to Rotheram Civic in January, to see the Pantomime, which this year is Snow White.
I visited the Centre this month for this first time since the Summer. It was lovely to see the residents and the group were really pleased to see me; however, I was saddened to hear that two of the residents, who were regulars at the Centre, had passed away recently.
The Centre is all trimmed up for Christmas and the group have a made a chimney at their craft session which is lovely.
The residents all enjoyed wreath making recently, this was funded and delivered by RMBC. This is the first time they have done this, and everyone really enjoyed it. They also held their Christmas fair at the beginning of the month. The groups make items to sell at the fair throughout the year at their craft sessions.
I also attended the groups Christmas party this month, were they enjoyed a buffet, music and played bingo. The craft group had made their own crackers containing dobbers for the all important games of bingo! One of the residents, Jean, was also celebrating her 90th birthday so there were extra special celebrations.
I will continue to support this group, where I can, in the New Year.