12 Oct 2011 A lunch club for the elderly staffed by Wigan’s Community Payback team has celebrated its 10th anniversary.
Offenders carrying out their community orders help prepare the food, serve and clear up at the weekly Trinity Church lunch.
Retired probation officer Alan Ireland launched the Club in 2001 and is delighted that it is still going strong.
Currently there are 35 members who attend regularly and enjoy a three course meal and social events every Wednesday at the Trinity United Reformed Church in Milton Grove Wigan.
Alan said: “It is an excellent event, we have lots of fun. For some of those who attend it is their main social event of the week.
“It is great for folk to meet up and enjoy themselves and we could not run the club without the support of Community Payback and over the years we have formed some good relationships with the people who staff it”.
While the age is mainly 60s to 90 all are welcome. After lunch there is usually bingo or dominoes.
Alan added “It is a good opportunity for our members to see that those on Community Payback are no different than our friends neighbours and families – they are so often just people who have had an unfortunate episode in their lives.
“A decade ago I realised there was a need for a lunch club in and around my church and I also knew that there was a need for good Community Payback projects.
“Our members are from Trinity, from several other churches in the area and from no church. All that matters is that people come to enjoy a hot meal and good company.”
Community Payback Supervisor Rita Souter added: “Offenders often learn a lot from their experience and they can tell that what they are doing is appreciated.
“They learn cooking skills, about the importance of being punctual and how to work as part of a team.
“The lunch club breaks down barriers that can exist between the young and the elderly.”
Anyone who is interested in joining the club should call Alan on 01942 831462.
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