Group: Wednesday Club Waddesdon
Project: Running and volunteer costs
Grant: £10,000
Fund: General Fund
Wednesday Club Waddesdon is a sociable and supportive charity for older people living in the Waddesdon and north Aylesbury areas. Their aim is to improve mental health and reduce loneliness & isolation. The club meet every Wednesday at Waddesdon Village Hall, offering a two course hot meal and refreshments throughout the day. During the day the club also provides musical entertainment or guest presenters who speak on a variety of subjects. Additionally, the club also arranges occasional days and meals out for its members.
With a grant from Heart of Bucks, Wednesday Club Waddesdon were able to successfully recruit and train 14 DBS-cleared volunteers. This enabled them to provide crucial support to older individuals with diverse needs who attended the club.
Funding also helped with the establishment of befriending services on alternate days, providing older individuals with opportunities to forge meaningful connections and alleviate loneliness through regular social interactions.
The range of entertainment offered to older individuals was also broadened to ensure diverse opportunities for engagement and enjoyment during their time at the club. More diverse dinners and food were also provided ensuring access to a greater variety of nutritious meals and snacks tailored to dietary preferences and needs. Yoga classes were also introduced, and 48 hours of classes were provided as well as 4 healthy cooking classes, cakes decorating classes, nutritional classes and workshops.
Two dementia awareness workshops were successfully delivered providing invaluable information and support to older individuals and their caregivers, fostering greater understanding and compassion within our community.
Overall, approximately 280 individuals directly and indirectly benefited from these initiatives, with members reporting feeling more motivated, healthier, and uplifted. Members were also actively signposted to various external services such as food banks to help them receive comprehensive support and assistance as needed.
Case study
Mrs. S, a 94-year-old living alone on a farm in a remote area, faced profound loneliness due to limited mobility and few visits from family or friends. To address this, Wednesday Club Waddesdon provided transport to the weekly club, providing opportunities for interaction and support. Mrs. S eagerly attended the club sessions and formed meaningful relationships with other club members and found purpose. Notably, befriending services by local students helped to further enrich her experience with a different generation, easing her loneliness.
Mrs. S’s experience reflects the club’s effect, giving their attendees something to look forward to each week. Her case demonstrates how targeted interventions can alleviate loneliness and enhance well-being for the elderly in rural areas. By fostering connections and support systems, such initiatives empower elderly residents to lead fulfilling lives despite their challenges.
Read more of our funding stories here.
