The Alz Lunchtime Club in Attleborough may be forced to close if they can’t find new blood to help run it!
The Alz Lunchtime Club, which runs once a month, has lost members due to Covid and needs people to come forward to volunteer.
The group which meets at the Holy Trinity Church in Attleborough on the third Monday of the month offers refreshments, a chance to chat to people with dementia and their carers and activities for them to participate in.
The club is run by a committee, but they admit they are not getting any younger and are worried if people don’t come forward to help, they can’t continue to run everything on their own.
Secretary Veronica Hartopp says “We would welcome anyone who would like to be a general helper. They would come on the day, set up, make tea, chat to people and arrange activities. We would love more people to get involved and then think about joining the committee. Some of our volunteers are people who have lost people to dementia and they find comfort coming to support other people with the disease and their carers.
In the past the group have also gone out for lunch, had afternoon tea and enjoyed a trip on the Hargreaves narrow boat. There are opportunities for people to plan more trips for us and organise practical activities like arts and crafts and visits from performers."
Veronica added “We have recently celebrated our tenth anniversary, so it will be a real shame if we did have to stop. We welcome anyone suffering from dementia and their families or carers. You don’t need a referral you can just turn up. We are a friendly group who offer peer support, advice, information and activities for people who have dementia and their carers. Ex-carers are welcome to come along too.”
The group are planning a re-launch event after taking a break over Christmas. It will be like an open day so people can come and find out about joining to benefit from the group or how they can sign up as a volunteer. It will take place on Monday 21 March 2022 at the Holy Trinity Church in Attleborough (12.00pm – 2.00pm). The group have booked a ukulele band for entertainment.
If you would like to find out more about the club and how you can get involved or attend because you have dementia, please call Veronica on 02476 329692 or email alz@hartopp.co.uk.
More details about the Alz Lunchtime Club (including full address details) can be found here.
