30 January 2018

Lunch Club

Every Tuesday myself and other volunteers help out at the Salvation Army's Tuesday Club luncheon date. It's well attended by mostly older ladies and gents. Ages vary from late 60's,  70's  and 80's. Our current eldest is 92! Some are lonely and it is their only outing of the week, for others it's one of many outings keeping them in touch with friends. For one or two it provides a few hours solace from the painful loss of a much loved lifetimes' spouse. And a few attend by recommendation from their GP because they suffer from depression. 
The day starts at 10 am with tea/coffee and biscuits. We then go into the lounge where our guests talk to each other, read a magazine or fall asleep :-) They also talk to us. They have some lovely stories to tell. It's all too easy to look at an old man or woman and see just that, as if they have always been that age. But we see the young girl or boy, the newly weds, men going off to war, parents raising a family with all the hopes and dreams that most of us have. We currently have two ladies who used to be midwives, one used to visit new mums here in my village in the days when midwives did that.
We also arrange entertainment. Once a month a lady from a music group visits, she has a disc player and hands out song books and our ladies and gents choose songs they like, we all then sing along to the music. 
We have jigsaws, colouring books and picture making. Sometimes we play bingo, with chocolate bars as prizes, and a small group play cards. I've modified the game of Articulate which is good fun and helps exercise the little grey cells. 
At about 12.15 we go back into the hall for a two course lunch prepared by the volunteer kitchen ladies. The menus are varied, with chicken; sausages; fish; jam roly poly; apple strudel; cheesecake. Today was meat pie with creamy mash, cabbage and parsnips, followed by rice pudding and jam, and finish off with tea or coffee, all for only £4. 
My friend M and I have been helping for 6 years, H a bit longer and V about 4 years. It can be quite depressing and sad because over the years we have seen some lovely old folk sink into depression or dementia and eventually stop coming. And inevitably many have died. 
But it can be humorous as well. 
The four of us have made a pact that when we are really old we will look out for each other and not let us sit with our legs wide apart showing our drawers, or fall asleep with our mouths open letting our false teeth fall down! 
I know that sounds irreverent but we have to maintain a sense of humour because we are painfully aware that at the rate time is passing we will soon be the waited on instead of the waiters.



~Be warm and well ~
Polly x 

22 comments:

  1. Such a wonderful pact. What a joy to hear about the lunch club so many of our elderly need help and yet are left alone due to lack of funding, a great venture.

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    1. It's been running for many years and I hope it continues for many more.

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  2. What a wonderful service, Polly. And I love the promise you and your friends have with each other. I think we all need friends like that -- Maybe I'd better start scouting mine out! It really does sound like what you do does lots of good. That's just terrific.

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    1. You don't need to worry Jeanie, with your lovely nature I'm sure you have lots of friends who will look out for you, and of course Rick :-)

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  3. What a worthwhile way to spend a few hours.

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  4. That's a lovely post, Polly. The pact is a wonderful idea, too. And you're right - of course; we're all heading somewhere...

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  5. It is very special that you do this Polly - I'm old enough to be able to attend your luncheon club should life have treated me differently. When I watch hospital programmes on the TV I am always impressed by both the care and the interest that the doctors and nurses show to their older patients too.

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    1. I think one or two of our ladies are a few years younger than me!

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  6. Thank you. You've just reminded me that I should phone my 95-year-old aunt tonight.

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  7. Hello, you are very kind to help out. I am sure the elderly appreciate the visits and help. Happy Wednesday, enjoy your day!

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    1. Thank you Eileen. I've been quilting most of the day, then making dinner!

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  8. That is a lovely way to spend a day - I go to a gym in the morning and most of the members there are older however there are some young ones. I am slowly making some new friendships!!

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    1. I keep hearing a lot lately about older people attending gyms and it's making me think that maybe I should do more to keep fit. I used to attend a gym regularly when I was working but I can't be bothered now! If there was one close to where I live I might consider it :-)

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  9. That's a very worthwhile activity which I'm sure the visitors greatly appreciate. A lot of older people are plagued by loneliness if they live alone and many of their friends and relatives have died, so this sort of social occasion is much needed. My 95 year old mum was very lonely until she moved into a care home, where she now has a whole crowd of people to talk to.

    I've never in my life played Articulate. Judging by the details on google, it sounds rather fun. Must give it a try!

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    1. The ladies and gents are lovely, they always thank us. Glad your mum has company now. I would definitely recommend Articulate.

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  10. Every once in awhile a new name appears in one of my posts . . . like a name like Polly . . .
    Awakening early this morning . . . so I came to read and look at your daffodils again.
    I like “service” myself . . . I have met wonderful, delightful, sometimes sad and “need of
    friending” people. I am richer for taking time to help, give, volunteer.
    Sweet it is . . . the pact you have with your friends . . .
    Do keep your legs together . . . tee hee . . .

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    1. ha ha, yes I will try Lynne. Thank you for visiting

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  11. What a lovely thing to do Polly, volunteering is so rewarding. I imagine the Tuesday Club is the highlight of the week for many. It really is a little scary to think how soon we could be there also ☺

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    1. I know, I don't dwell on it. Sadly it is the only outing one or two get each week.

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