11 Local Groups & Clubs
Whether you like to exercise your body or mind or simply like to socialise over coffee and cake, we have something here to suit everyone...
Dementia Friendly Walk & Coffee
Berkshire Age UK have recently launched a walk and coffee group especially for those living with dementia. These walks start at 10am from various locations including, Victoria Park and Greenham Common, Newbury and Paices Wood, Aldermaston. The walks range from 0.7 to 1mile in distance and always include a stop for refreshments.
For more information, go to www.ageukberkshire.org.uk or call 0118 959 4242.
Ageing Creatively at The Corn Exchange
Ageing creatively is the umbrella name for a host of events and classes for older people at The Corn Exchange in Newbury. Classes include a cinema club, stitch and sew, touch to see (for those with visual impairments), coffee companions, painting classes, singing classes, yoga, drama, dance…the list goes on! If you would like to find out more about any of these classes, full details can be found via this link or by calling 01635 522733. https://cornexchangenew.com/learning/ageing-creatively
Chair Yoga
Amy’s Chair Yoga in Didcot, improves strength, flexibility and posture, plus is a lot of fun (Amy is always smiling like she is in this image!)! These classes are suitable for those who are able to undertake seated and standing movement but who may find it difficult to get up and down on a mat in mat based yoga, The sessions also include mediation. Amy’s classes are on Thursdays at 10.15am at GWP District Community Centre in Didcot. For more info, call Amy on 07788 561213 or email [email protected]
More yoga, but in Greenham nr. Newbury this time. Isobel Collyer runs two classes per week for the local branch of Parkinson’s UK. Sessions are just £1, booked with Isobel directly on [email protected]. Interested attendees need to contact Isobel or the society in advance of the session as they need to complete a safety assessment beforehand. Sessions take place on Wednesdays at 1pm in Greenham, in a large airy hall with plenty of parking/level access, and the other session is on Zoom, Mondays at 5pm. Sessions last 45 minutes approximately and cater for varying levels of mobility. The Monday session is fully seated, the Wednesday session includes some standing postures and balances, with the option to remain seated throughout. Everyone in the classes are friendly and welcoming and attendees report a range of benefits, some specific, while others simply report that they are feeling generally much better.
Flower Club
If you love flowers, perhaps the Flower Club in Abingdon could be for you. The group meet on the first Tuesday of each month and watch floral demonstrations given by invited arrangers. The group are also involved in special events such as flower festivals in Abingdon. There is currently around 65 members of the group, who are super friendly and keen to welcome new members. Sessions are based from Northcourt Centre, Northcourt Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 1NS on the first Tuesday of the month, arrival 6.30pm for a 7pm start.
First meeting FREE then £7.50 per meeting with a £40 annual membership fee. Contact Chris on [email protected] or call him on 07910204161 https://bbandoflowers.org.uk/clubs/abingdon/
Dementia Café
The activity schedule at The Fair Close Centre features a mixture of regular activities such as chair exercises, quizzes, live entertainment, painting and more. Monthly events such as the dementia café, tea & tech, bake sales, and one-off events such as birds of prey and dog therapy visits mean the Fair Close Centre is a great place to have on your radar.
The Dementia Café meets, hosted by the wonderful Tamsin, are specifically for those living with dementia. It’s a fantastic group – they had wonderful music from the Berkshire Maestros when we visited and the Zoom meet for carers is another social group where those supporting a loved one can share experiences or just chat with a friendly group. There’s also a hairdressers and foot and ear clinic regularly at the centre as well as a welfare service, where the friendly team can offer advice on any question or issue – large or small.
Dementia Café
1st & 2nd Wednesday of each month 10:30 – 11:45am (£2.50 each – Tea/Coffee & Cakes)
To book: 07938 023 256 or email Tamsin on [email protected]
Dementia Cafe Carers Support Group
4th Weds of each month 10:30 – 11:30 Via Zoom
Time Out for Seniors & Coffee Morning
Time Out for Seniors (TOFS) is an informal group for anyone who are happy to describe themselves as ‘Senior’! It is a small, friendly group with members ages ranging from early 60s to late 90s. Meets take place on the third Thursday of the month 2.30pm to 4.00pm at Abbey Baptist Church, Checker Walk, Abingdon. Activities during the meets include table games, water colour painting, gentle sports and more. They also have tea and cake and a brief and very simple Christian message. Most of those who attend are regular church goers, however everyone is more than welcome.
At the same location, we also find a coffee morning taking place on the fourth Thursday of the month from 10.30am to about noon. Coffee, usually a short quiz or simple game and then a short (30 minutes max) Christian Service. During this meet, the group also enjoys singing some old hymns (words for the hymns are projected on a large screen). Again, everyone is very welcome.
For more info, contact Chris on [email protected] and take a look at the church website for a full listing of events www.abbey-baptist-church.org.uk/activities-1
Age UK Strength and Balance Classes
The Age UK Strength and balance classes are social, fun sessions that enable you to maintain health, mobility, and therefore independence. Being active is also a great way to boost energy levels and general wellbeing. The classes aim is to improve muscle, bone and joint health, enabling participants to see the benefits with everyday tasks. Gentle balance along with balance exercises (to give greater confidence, improve posture and help to reduce your risk of falls). Classes take place both seated and standing. Sessions are in Abingdon, Didcot and many other smaller towns and villages in the surrounding areas – as well as online classes if preferred. The sessions are run by Age UK and cost £5 a session. They are available in person at locations across Oxfordshire or online via Zoom so take a look at the Age UK website for further details or call 01235 849 403.
U3A
The University of the 3rd. Age is a very popular group with many of our clients. It’s a great group for learning new things, making new friends and having fun in a social setting. Many groups provide interesting talks on a wide range of subject matters, and some sessions are practical, so you can learn new skills, such as painting or a new instrument.
Abingdon https://u3asites.org.uk/abingdon 01235 529792
Didcot https://u3asites.org.uk/didcot 01235 510814
Newbury https://u3asites.org.uk/code/u3asite.php?site=675&page=201635 524099
Thatcham https://u3asites.org.uk/thatcham 01635 862295
The Seasons Art Class
Step by step art classes for beginners or improvers with the friendly and talented (by name and nature!) Marguerite Talenti. Classes last for 3 hours, so you get the opportunity to really get stuck in and run on a termly basis.
Classes take place at Wootton & Dry Sandford Community Centre on Tuesdays AM, PM or Wednesday AM. For more information contact Maguerite on 01793 780754 or [email protected]
Womens Institute
At Home Instead, we know the WI well – we have been guest speakers at the group in many locations, many times, covering our Scam Awareness talks.
Every group meets monthly, during which the group enjoys crafts, speakers, quiz nights, book clubs and lively discussions. Joining a WI is a wonderful way to make new friends. There are probably too many WI groups in our region to list. There are groups in Newbury, Thatcham, Donnington, Blewbury, Abingdon, Didcot, Sutton Courtney and a few more villages in the area. Many of these towns have more than one group! So, you’d be sure to find a group that meets on a day convenient to you.
To find your local meet, click on the link below or call 0118 933 3448 https://www.thewi.org.uk/
