For mor than four decades, Winchester-based charity Brendoncare has been running care homes across the south of England.
As part of its charitable mission to empower older people to live well, it runs a range of community clubs and services, creating opportunities for older people to connect in their local communities.
At the heart of the work is Brendoncare’s ‘Community Support Service’, which provides free access to volunteer-led telephone befriending and digital support services, including Brendoncare’s drop in Digital Cafes, as part of the membership package.
Brendoncare also runs more than 30 in-person clubs for its members, most of which are based at the charity’s community hubs in Gosport and Otterbourne Hill, with new clubs recently opened in Kinghtwood in Chandler’s Ford. These range from relaxed social clubs to gentle seated exercise clubs, to tai chi and seated yoga sessions, and also to more competitive clubs like table tennis, short mat bowls and kurling. These are also free to attend for those receiving means tested benefits, such as Pension Credit, or who are experience financial hardship.
Together, these initiatives offer a lifeline for older people who may otherwise feel isolated, providing places where they feel welcomed, valued, and able to build meaningful friendships.
The Community Support Service is open for referrals from social prescribers and organisations supporting older people.
Check out https://brendoncare.org.uk/brendoncare-clubs for more information and get in touch at clubs@brendoncare.org.uk
Written By: HIVCA
