Home Instead Charities grant helps local club fund day trip to the newly restored Rochdale Town Hall

The trip was made possible thanks to a grant from Home Instead Charities which helped fund the cost of the coach.  Around 30 group members and friends made the trip to see the Grade-I listed building designed by William Crossland and opened in 1871 as a symbol of the town’s industrial standing in the textiles trade.

The day included lunch in the Martlet Kitchen restaurant inside the town hall followed by free time to explore the newly pedestrianised Riverside Shopping Centre in the heart of Rochdale.

The Tuesday 2 O’Clock Club was set up in 2017 by Kate Turner, to provide social opportunities to older people in Ripponden.  The group meet on alternate Tuesdays from 2 O’Clock at The Ripponden Club for a mix of games, speakers, music and activities all enjoyed in a lively, welcoming atmosphere.  A recent highlight was an appearance by local comedian Lea Roberts in a fundraiser for Prostate Cancer UK. Kate has also set up a monthly film club  to provide evening entertainment to local people.

Kate Turner said: “Our members had a fantastic day out seeing the stunning and historic Rochdale Town Hall, exploring the town centre and spending time with friends. The kind grant from Home Instead Charities enabled us keep the cost of the trip to just £5 per person.”

With chronic loneliness affecting 1.4 million adults across the UK, Home Instead Charities aims to bring joy and connection to ageing adults.   Since 2014 they have distributed more than £220,000 to 225 community groups and charities which has supported almost 50,000 ageing adults!

Julie Ingham, Community Engagement Officer for Home Instead Calderdale added: “Kate does a great job running the Tuesday 2 O’Clock Club with such passion and dedication and I was delighted she was successful in obtaining funds for this trip.”