A new drop-in centre for the Island’s senior citizens offers company and support as well as food and drink kitchen facilities as well as furniture to accommodate up to forty 66 or older people from Monday-Saturday between 9am and 4pm, thanks to HVS’ rota of trained volunteers
The Club is the brainchild of Hayling Voluntary Services Lin Green and Mike Beel.
Mike oversaw transformation of the former shop unit.
Lin Green, with long experience working in different healthcare roles, said: “Older people are fantastic, they have a life story that they want to share telling stories going back to their childhood.
Previously, HVS relied on hiring a hall to offer a meeting place for their members.
A spokesman for the 40-year-old charity said: “For many years, Hayling Voluntary Services has offered support through our network of twenty volunteer drivers who have provided transport for members that find it hard to use public transport, to get to vital hospital appointments as well as visits to things like the doctor’s surgery, dentist or something simple like a trip to the shops.
The HVS team will be bringing professional support services to the club’s members – from Good Neighbours Network, Citizens’ Advice, Community First, and even the Post Office, to healthcare groups – as well as organising entertainment, with music, quizzes and even some old favourites like gin rummy, dominoes, and bingo.
The trustees are convinced that the new premises can help the Island’s elderly population enjoy a better quality of life.
To become a member, all HVS needs is to take someone’s name, their contact details, including GP and next of kin – plus a relative’s contact number in case of emergencies.
HVS will be open Christmas Day, offering a full lunch, and aims to be open seven-days-a-week once the new club is fully up-and-running.
To find out more about how you can volunteer with HVS – either as a driver or a helper – call 023 92414365 or email haylingvolunteers@hotmail.co.uk – also, visit: www.haylingvoluntaryservices.co.uk