ELAINE WARRINER: Loneliness doesn't suddenly stop at 5pm

There is a new Saturday morning club for older people in Gosport

We support local older people.

It launched on November 12, and the Brew and Brainteasers Club will continue to meet every Saturday between 1.30pm and 3.30pm at Club Hampshire, The Anchorage, Willis Road.

For only £2.50 per session, the club offers a range of games, word and number puzzles and quizzes – and of course refreshments to boost the brain power.

More importantly, it is somewhere for people to socialise, meet new friends and enjoy companionship.

More than one million older people in the UK say they are always or often lonely. Loneliness can affect our mental and physical health. One study found loneliness can be more harmful to health than smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

It also increases the risk of cognitive decline.

Brendoncare runs more than 85 social and friendship clubs across Hampshire and Dorset and is currently focused on expanding its offering of clubs at weekends.

Edwin Ingleton is head of club services at Brendoncare and here he explains why weekend clubs are so high on the charity’s list of priorities.

He says: ‘In a growing number of cases, older people may not have friends or family around them and a social club is one way to break the cycle of loneliness that can be so debilitating to their wellbeing.

‘Loneliness doesn’t suddenly stop at 5pm on a Friday night.

‘And that is why offering social opportunities at the weekend is so important.’

Volunteers are also needed to help run the club.

No previous experience is necessary, just a sense of fun and a desire to support the members.

Inquiries are welcome from anyone wishing to find out more about the new club, either as a member or a volunteer.

Anyone interested can visit Brendoncare’s website, brendoncare.org.uk/clubs, telephone the charity on 01962 852133.

Alternatively, e-mail [email protected] for more information.

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Elaine Warriner is from Brendoncare, a charity which supports older people