Sunday afternoon activities

A gentle ramble, maybe accompanied by an expert in some theme such as architecture, ornithology, local history, botany to point out things along the way. End up with refreshments at the centre. It's amazing how we pass things every day and never really look at them.

If you have to stay in, is there space and the wherewithal to organise a repair workshop? People are looking to save money these days and repairing rather than replacing is the way to go.

Ask your local C.V.S (Council for Voluntary Service) for help setting up. They usually have s development officer who will have lots of info, possibly access to small grants and will have experience of this sort of thing.
Here is a link to the national organisation where you can find your local one:
navca.org.uk/find-a-member-1

Actually Cabbie there must be people like me, family nowhere near, but with a car who would be happy to drive/ferry. Helping others is one of the best ways of coping with loneliness isn’t it?

I've passed on your ideas. There's several rooms in the centre so could perhaps gave eg scrabble in one room, whisk or quiz or book club in another and tea, coffee, biscuits and newspapers in another.

If the community centre has a kitchen that complies with the Health and Safety regulations for serving food, it might be an even better idea to serve lunch rather than tea and cake.

A lot of people living alone for one or other reason find cooking for one boring and tend not to eat very well.

It could be useful if there are volunteer drivers who could bring in people who could not otherwise get there.

Sunday might be a difficult day to get volunteers or people to provide talks, even if it is the best day for the older people.

No forced jollity or war time sing songs please!

I used to go to a Sunday lunch club. All people seemed to want was company. A chat with tea and cake appeals to everyone but some may be put off if they don't want to take part in activities and just want someone to chat to.

Bingo isn’t my cup of tea either. However I do think there may be people who would and do enjoy it. I think a range of activities to suit everyone should be included. Maybe a questionnaire would be called for to cover all bases.

Before Covid we were asked to take in vintage games we may have from our childhoods to a U3A session - everyone had great fun trying out the games with nostalgia thrown in.

My son and his young family go to a board games shop at weekends, which they all love. Personally, I love board games, but if you live on your own it is difficult to play.
I got a mah jong set for my birthday, which is very beautiful but we still have no idea how to play it. (Actually, I got 2 and need to give one away!) . I'd love to join a group that can play.

These are all brilliant, thanks.

Yes, maybe a talk every 6 weeks or so wouldn't create too much work.

At the risk of creating work for the volunteers running it, perhaps the occasional “drop in” advice session with someone from Age U.K. or CAB might be possible.

Basic bridge ? Bridge is a lifesaver but no cl6bs seem to have Sunday sessions. Or other card games/board games and tea ?

I think crafts are good but require more thought.
Also would suggest board games.

Good point MrsKen
When DH was working away from home and had to spend every other weekend there on call, he used to pop into his local bookshop (I think it was Ottokars in those days) and spend Sunday mornings there reading the Sunday papers with a coffee and a toastie.

Buy the Sunday papers. Expensive now but older people love to read them.

Films, if there’s the capability
Rummikub, (I had to look up beetle drive, not heard of it).
Occasional plant swap.

Great suggestions thanks.

Definitely not Bingo.

They're trying to make it enjoyable but without an 'old folks home' type vibe. Basically somewhere that people can just drop in, have a bit of fun and enjoyment but no patronising or anything.

Craft demonstrations, giving people the chance to try a craft themselves.

An excellent idea, VintageJazz
DIL's Mum helps with one at the village hall for elderly people, (some of whom are younger than her).

I think they do afternoon tea and people like a social get-together.
Whist drives are on a separate night. It seems that village life is never dull.

The church in our town does something similar, or did before Lockdown, not sure if it carried on.

Also there is an Over 50 Youth Club, which is a meet up, coffee and chat type thing.

Anything but Bingo!

Thanks Maw
Yes, a monthly book club or even 'gogglebox' session, where people discuss certain programmes that have been on during the month might work.

Will also suggest a Beetle Drive.

I was also going to suggest a scrabble or monopoly club.

Sounds like an idea (Personally, not tea dances! But quizzes, beetle drives, book afternoons, just tea, cake and a chat)
Sundays can be very lonely as everybody else “seems” to be involved with family.