Over thirty clubs for the elderly and disabled meet regularly throughout the large area of benefit of Rural Age Concern Darent Valley. These clubs, organised typically by wonderful elderly volunteers, meet every week, fortnight or month, typically in their local communal lounges or village halls. The clubs offer a variety of services such as: transport, fresh home cooked lunch and / or refreshments, social parlour games, bingo and raffles, social interaction, local shopping, competitions, occasional outings, seasonal events, and information and access to other Age Concern Services. These services offered by the clubs are a tremendous benefit to members and also helps by allowing the member to get out from their house for a couple of hours on a regular basis.
Age Concern has a long tradition of supporting and assisting these clubs and is very anxious to continue and build on that support by offering the following Club Support Services to all clubs in its area of benefit.
Free or low cost door-to-door disabled access transport
Free hire of disabled aids to Members
Issue of a free occasional club magazine
Free information and assistance to members on Benefit Entitlement
Free Information and advice to clubs / members on any matter affecting the elderly
Free full or part assistance with club accounts and end of year reports
Free administration and secretarial support including:
Word processing
Typing and printing
Spread sheeting
Photo-copying
Production of individual account sheets.
Telephone & Fax service
e-mail service
Cash handling and accounting service
Free personal visits and talks by Chief Officer
Advice to club organisers on any problems or difficulties on running the club
Assistance in finding meeting venues or in negotiation of rent
To provide Age Concern meeting venues if and when available
Positive assistance to find replacement volunteer organisers or club officers
Free insurance cover (limited) for club organisers and volunteers
Free home visits to any member at request of club organiser or volunteers
Free information sheets on a wide range of matters sent free on request from club
Financial and / or practical assistance to clubs in unusual or exceptional circumstances
Free short term loan of portable amplifier and microphone
Friendly and prompt assistance on any matter affecting, or of concern to, any club
Do please contact the Age Concern office, should you have any query or concern in relation to any senior citizens club and we would be more than pleased to assist in any way we can. If you are aware of any other means in which Age Concern could assist any club for the elderly, do please contact us.
For a list and full details of the above supported clubs and Age Concern Day Centres, please contact the Age Concern office.
See Information Sheet 15 - Club Support Services