Alyth’s long-running 50-Plus Club is enjoying new board games, puzzle books and craft activities thanks to a new £1,250 grant from our Community Projects Fund.
A similar grant in late 2023 enabled the Club to increase its weekly turnout by 30%, comprising new members joining as well as current members coming more regularly.
Club chairperson John Lindsay said: “We wanted to continue the success of the previous funding which enabled us to provide our members with a range of new activities and crafts which went down really well. We plan to keep this going by purchasing more materials to keep the existing crafts going and to also introduce new craft and game ideas that have been suggested to us by our members.”
As well as games, craft materials, puzzle books and the like, the Club will buy new storage items and refurbish some games equipment, as well as provide prizes and engraved trophies and offer expenses to visiting guest speakers. The grant will also help to offset catering costs which have increased significantly over the past year.
John explains: “Last year we re-started our bowling, kurling, and dominoes tournaments and started a new table shuffleboard tournament which can be played by everyone including the less physically able members. These have been very popular, and they help members to mingle better.
“We want to encourage more members to attend the club, especially people who live
alone and would benefit from the social aspect of the meeting as well as the stimulation provided by the games, activities and talks. Our aim is to create an enjoyable and informative experience to which members can look forward each week.
“Providing a wider variety of games and activities means members can
do different things at each meeting and perhaps get inspired to take up new
hobbies. Several members have told us that the club is a lifeline for them and has helped improve their mental health and given them a reason to go out and interact with others. Better mental health in the community is a benefit to the whole community.
ADT’s Community Projects Fund distributes the community benefit funds provided for Alyth by the operators of the Tullymurdoch Windfarm, some five miles north of the town. Applications to the fund are judged by an independent panel of volunteers drawn from across the community. Apply at https://lovealyth.org.uk/projects/alyth-community-projects-fund/.