Pensioner pals in South Brum were reunited for the first time in over a year as a lunch club restarted again following the lifting of Covid restrictions.
Older people are now meeting again at Shenley Court Hall in Selly Oak on Monday afternoons and Wednesday mornings for coffee and cake. It’s the first time many have been able to see each other since the first lockdown in March 2020.
Charity and community organisation Bournville Village Trust, which manages the Hall, was forced to temporarily close the centre and lunch club when Covid struck.
It launched a befriending service to compensate, making sure that anyone in the community who felt isolated or lonely received support and companionship.
However, many of the members of the club, which met twice weekly until it was halted, have missed seeing each other and the company the lunch club provides.
Barbara Karavelioglu, who works for Bournville Village Trust and helps to organise the lunch club, said: “We are so pleased to be able to reopen the lunch club again, we have missed seeing our members so much that it is brilliant to be able to welcome them back.
“For many members the lunch club is their only opportunity to enjoy an affordable meal with their friends, to socialise and enjoy the company of others.
“Sadly during Covid some of the members have lost their mobility and others have lost their confidence in getting out and about, so we’re taking things nice and steady by starting with coffee mornings and afternoon teas. We also have transport to help people get to the lunch club if they need support.”
The lunch club will start by providing Monday afternoon and Wednesday morning teas and coffee and cake sessions as it gears up to providing a full lunch service again from September.
It has also received a welcome grant from the Edgbaston Neighbourhood Network Scheme of £500 to buy new kitchen utensils and equipment.
Anyone in the area wishing to join the lunch club can call the Hall on 0121 475 7521.
BVoices is committed in supporting communities across south west Birmingham and surrounding by keeping them informed and engaged. Please see the following:
• Community Chat for south west Birmingham • Coronavirus support
• Community Classroom – Resources for parents & carers
• Community Together • Mental Health & Wellbeing through COVID-19
• Community Kindness • Positive acts during the COVID-19 outbreak
• SW Brum Camera Club – for the love of the lens – Photography Birmingham
• SWBrum Jobs Page
• Community Recycle – Repurpose & Reuse – SW Birmingham & Surrounding
