Crich Luncheon Club

The judges of the national Corkill Award (established by the National Association for Patient Participation) noted that one of the reasons why they awarded the prize to Crich Area Dementia Friends was the evident commitment of the broader community to its inclusive aims and the drive to reduce social isolation for some people living in our  villages.
One of the most successful regular activities available for older people, run by a stalwart bunch of volunteers, is the weekly Luncheon Club held at the Glebe Field Centre in Crich on Wednesdays. The Luncheon Club not only provides its members with a delicious hot meal but also entertainment. A welcome recent development has been the involvement of young volunteers from Crich Junior School and Fritchley Primary School, who have joined the Luncheon Club members for activities such as Lego Challenges. These challenges have involved mixed teams of the young and older people working together. There are many benefits from these joint activities – possibly the most important is that they’re great fun for both young and old. And who can argue with that?

Brief history

Our full title is the Crich and Neighbourhood Community Care Scheme. The first planning meeting was on May 17th 1983, under the leadership of the late Mr Jim Briggs at his home, and nine people were present.

The first lunch was served on August 3rd 1983. The Christmas Party that year was free and served in the Baptist schoolroom. Our 10th Anniversary Celebration was at the Swallow Hotel, South Normanton in 1993. Now we are making plans to celebrate our 25th anniversary.

The Luncheon Club started in the Baptist School room and then moved into Crich Primary School when the meals were transported from Stevensons Dyers Canteen. These good people supplied the meals free of charge and also supplied the equipment for the transportation.

In September 1997 the new Community Hall in the Glebe Field Centre was opened and we currently rent the coffee lounge and day centre each Wednesday morning. There is a cook on the premises and also an automatic dish washer.

The Luncheon Club became a registered charity in March 1998.

Criteria of Membership

• Over 65 years of age.
• Live in the Parish of Crich although this is now under review.
• Members will be persons who have difficulty in attending events outside their home independently.
• Social concerns; members who for reasons suggested by their GP or Social Services, need the stimulation which the company of the club can give them through bereavement, depression and loneliness.
• Referrals are made through a GP or Social Services.

Personnel Involved

• Currently we have 27 Luncheon Club members but four of them are unable to attend.
• Ten helpers who help on a monthly basis supplying cups of tea or coffee.
• Twelve volunteer drivers. They bring members requiring transport from 10.30 am onwards. They return for pick-up at about 1.00 pm
• A Committee of 16 people who meet three times a year.

Without these people we would cease to exist.

A few of our activities

• We meet every Wednesday except for Easter Week and alternate weeks in August. During the mornings we remember birthdays, have a small raffle and enjoy a good chat with friends.
• On the second Wednesday in December it is the Christmas Party. After lunch we have entertainment with a visit from Father Christmas who has presents for all. This is followed by a tea.
• On the second Wednesday in June we have the usual lunch followed by the AGM, then games such as beetle, and a tea.
• Each year we arrange three outings for the summer months. Last year in May we had lunch at Marsh Farm Restaurant, Abbot's Bromley and a visit to Byrkeley Park Garden Centre at Burton. In the July we went to Glossop Central Methodist Hall for lunch and on to the Pavilion Gardens at Buxton. In September we went to Hickling Village Hall (Vale of Belvoir) for a WI lunch and to the Grange Garden Centre at Ashfordby.
• We are able to hire a specially modified coach which has a lift for those who have difficulty with steps and seats can be removed to strap in wheel chairs. Friends and supporters also accompany us on the outings.

Links with Crich Junior School

We have close links with Crich Junior School. Their former headmistress, Mrs Julian is Chairperson of our Committee. The school sends two pupils on a weekly basis to help wash up the tea and coffee cups and help with the raffle. Afterwards they chat with the club members. This helps to form friendship and understanding between the generations and at the same time develops their social skills.. The entire school comes on the morning of the Christmas Party to sing carols or perform a Christmas play. The school has also held a coffee morning to help raise funds for us.

Funding and Fundraising

• Members pay £4 for their lunch consisting of two courses. Providing we have a minimum of 18 present we cover the cost of the meal and the hire of the rooms.
• Our main items of expenditure are the Christmas Party and the three annual outings.
• We get grants from Crich Parish Council, Derbyshire County Council and Amber Valley Borough Council.
• Our fund raising efforts include small Table Top sales during the year and a stall in the Market Place during June.
• In 2007 we arranged a schools concert for parents and friends involving Fritchley School and Crich Carr School. As you can appreciate this was difficult to organise but was a huge success.

We are always pleased to welcome new members and to have more volunteer helpers and drivers. If anyone out there is interested please ring 01773 856212.