St Luke's Church Eccleshill - Articles from "The Link"

The second of our reports on church activities ...

Day Centre

Report for 2004 and prospects for 2005

The work of the Day Centre with any particular client starts with a visit and interview by June, our Coordinator. The Day Centre is aimed at providing a hot cooked meal, a social programme of speakers and activities, and a chance to meet and chat with others. We have 25 places, and priority is given to the over 65's who are suffering social isolation or whose carers need respite. The Day Centre is open to all, irrespective of race, religion or gender, but we have recently had to prioritize cases as we are getting full.

The day begins with a list for the minibus driver and escort who collect clients from their own homes (and ensure they've locked up and turned off their fires!). Transport costs 50p, and there's a friendly smile, a cup of tea and biscuits when they arrive in the narthex (the glassed-in room at church).

Then there are exercises, which are important in encouraging clients to keep supple and active. The talks programme has included items on health - avoiding trips and slips, healthy eating, safety in the home and so on.

The midday meal comes from a local pub, at a cost of Ł3.50 to the clients. It arrives piping hot (the temparature is recorded when it arrives), and is served by a team of volunteers. One of the aspects of the centre currently under consideration is the question of whether we work the volunteers too hard, and whether we need extra help with the quantity of washing up.

In the afternoon there are quizzes, games (play your cards right, beetle, "what on earth is that?", board games, crosswords), some joint activities (karaoke singing, musical quizzes, ...), some talks on subjects of interest, and two or three church services during the year. The inevitable bingo makes its appearance with a new machine provided by a grant which June applied for - so now clients can see the numbers as well as hear them.

And reguarly there are trips out, and this year we held the first holiday - in Great Yarmouth.

The other side of the work is keeping up with the welfare of individual clients. Any needs for additional help can be passed on to social services, and relatives' concerns can be confirmed or allayed.

The Day Centre allows us to offer help to those who need it, in the name of Jesus. It helps us to keep track of older people. It makes ends meet, and brings some rent into the church. We are very grateful to all those who help us to keep it running.

June Sherwin.

(edited by John Hartley)

	*St Luke's Church, Eccleshill - The Link* magazine** The Link is published monthly at 40p (Senior Citizens 35p), and we deliver free within the parish and post copies (at the reader's expense) to those who request it. Please contact us if you would like a free copy for a trial period. July 2005, Page 6.
Home Page. Index of articles: by subject, by date. In this issue: (July 2005) Flying cow, Foundations, Prayer Audit, Day Centre, Song. Other articles on church organisation. Day Centre profile.	The second of our reports on church activities ... Day Centre Report for 2004 and prospects for 2005 The work of the Day Centre with any particular client starts with a visit and interview by June, our Coordinator. The Day Centre is aimed at providing a hot cooked meal, a social programme of speakers and activities, and a chance to meet and chat with others. We have 25 places, and priority is given to the over 65's who are suffering social isolation or whose carers need respite. The Day Centre is open to all, irrespective of race, religion or gender, but we have recently had to prioritize cases as we are getting full. The day begins with a list for the minibus driver and escort who collect clients from their own homes (and ensure they've locked up and turned off their fires!). Transport costs 50p, and there's a friendly smile, a cup of tea and biscuits when they arrive in the narthex (the glassed-in room at church). Then there are exercises, which are important in encouraging clients to keep supple and active. The talks programme has included items on health - avoiding trips and slips, healthy eating, safety in the home and so on. The midday meal comes from a local pub, at a cost of Ł3.50 to the clients. It arrives piping hot (the temparature is recorded when it arrives), and is served by a team of volunteers. One of the aspects of the centre currently under consideration is the question of whether we work the volunteers too hard, and whether we need extra help with the quantity of washing up. In the afternoon there are quizzes, games (play your cards right, beetle, "what on earth is that?", board games, crosswords), some joint activities (karaoke singing, musical quizzes, ...), some talks on subjects of interest, and two or three church services during the year. The inevitable bingo makes its appearance with a new machine provided by a grant which June applied for - so now clients can see the numbers as well as hear them. And reguarly there are trips out, and this year we held the first holiday - in Great Yarmouth. The other side of the work is keeping up with the welfare of individual clients. Any needs for additional help can be passed on to social services, and relatives' concerns can be confirmed or allayed. The Day Centre allows us to offer help to those who need it, in the name of Jesus. It helps us to keep track of older people. It makes ends meet, and brings some rent into the church. We are very grateful to all those who help us to keep it running. June Sherwin. (edited by John Hartley)
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