Eating with others as a community is so central to our wellness as human beings. It’s something humans have done in society since primitive days.
Meeting to talk and share a meal is bonding, uplifting and creates a great sense of belonging. Attending a regular lunch club can provide fun, good company and interest that makes it a diary appointment that we look forward to.
For seniors looking to connect with others for friendship and a hearty lunch, there are many lunch clubs available across Swindon to choose from. Here’s a brief introduction to just some of the local lunch clubs that are in our WOW (What’s On Where) Guide for Swindon and the surrounding area.
Emmanuel Church Lunch Club & Social Group
Every Thursday at 12 noon (except in August) Emmanuel Church in Haydon Wick village host a lunch club open to any older people in the community. The meal is enjoyed by about 35 people and is organised and prepared by members of the church family with a cost of just £2.50 for a two course meal plus tea and coffee.
Following the meal there is a social group from 1.30pm called the “Thursday Link” which includes activities such as speakers, quizzes, games and carpet bowls. Everyone is welcome and for more information visit their website:
www.emmanuelhaydonwick.org.uk/lunch-club
Or call Sue Martin on 01793 721552
Cricklade Open Doors Lunch Club
This community cafe and lunch club offers fun, friendship and support to men and women of all ages. Enjoy a friendly environment where you can talk, share and experience new things. Take part in activities with lunch such as bingo and much more. Transport can be provided for local residents. £6 for lunch, hot drinks £1.50.
It’s held at Jenner Hall, Bath Road, Cricklade, SN6 6AX every Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. To book a place contact:
Telephone:07599987851 or
Email: [email protected]
Gorse Hill Luncheon Club
Run by church volunteers the Gorse Hill Luncheon Club is on every Tuesday at Gorse Hill Baptist Church, Cricklade Road, SN2 1AA. Guests arrive around 12pm for a 12.30pm 2 course lunch. The lunch costs £5.00 and is traditional British food e.g. a roast or toad in the hole, followed by a dessert and coffee.
For more information call Julie Harris on 07952987515.
Salvation Army Lunch and Social Club
The Salvation Army at Gorse Hill offer a 2 course lunch every Wednesday 12pm to 2.30pm. This is provided by employees and volunteers and is typically British food with dishes such as sausages, casserole, roasts, pork chops and salad options in the summer, followed by desserts from sticky toffee pudding or fruit pie and custard to ice-cream and fruits. They aim to meet dietary requirements as required too. There is free parking, or some attend by using Swindon Community Transport. It is open to all but please call to let them know you’re coming so they know numbers. They do take a break in August but otherwise are open year round. £4
To book call Hayley Purnell on 01793 436 928.
Bath Road Luncheon Club
On Tuesdays on a fortnightly basis this club takes place at Bath Road Methodist Church which runs 12.30 to 2pm. There is a lovely, relaxed atmosphere and many firm friendships have been made over the years. They serve a tasty and nutritious two-course hot meal followed by tea or coffee for £7, over which members linger to continue their conversations. A popular attraction in this community, so much so there is a waiting list for it. If you’d like to be added to the waiting list:
Call Gwen Knight on 01793 343326
Thursday Lunch Club – Conversative Club
This is run by MHA Communities from 12-2pm every Thursday at the Conservative Club, Bath Road Swindon and costs £10 for a 2 course meal with tea and coffee and that includes bingo with prizes, the menus also change every week so there’s plenty of variety. It’s attended by about 10-15 people, so it is a nice size and ideal for making new friends. For more information contact Veronica by emailing [email protected] or call her on 07902135098.
John Moulton Hall Lunch Club
Meeting in the John Moulton Hall Community Centre every Wednesday, this lunch club is well established having run for many years serving the Penhill area. It is well organised by an administrator and a team of volunteers. Members enjoy games like bingo or a raffle on arrival and then a 2 course meal which is traditional British meals such as shepherd’s pie and a crumble. The group is very friendly and has special seasonal occasions during the year, for example towards Christmas they go out to a pub for the meal instead to enable the volunteers to enjoy a lunch too. Twice a year they even arrange a 5 day break to Sandbay Pontins Weston-Super-mare.
More information is available by calling Tanya on 07713443633.
We hope that you find the right Lunch Club for you or someone you care for and are soon enjoying a tasty meal with friends. For further information about local lunch clubs and other activities suited to older people and their families Home Instead provide a guide called the “What’s On Where” WOW Guide which gives a calendar of local activities. We also provide The Resources Directory which contains links to many other local and national services which can benefit older people. For copies please email [email protected]
Find out more about supported living in this area and see if Home Care in Swindon & the Vale of White Horse could be right for you or your loved ones.