Alyth’s long-running 50-Plus Club is now equipped with loads of new games, craft materials and a projector to help guest speakers, thanks to a £950 grant from pour Community Projects Fund.
The money has helped the Club to buy board games and table-top games, art and craft materials, and a small bingo machine as well as a projector for guest speakers to use and for other community groups to borrow if they need it.
The Club had been running for many years but had to stop because of COVID. It has restarted recently and membership is at a reasonable level, but the Club would like to encourage more members, especially those who are still reluctant to go out and about much.
The aim is to give people aged 50 and over an opportunity to socialise, learn new skills but also have time for a cup of tea and a blether. Some current members have said the club is a lifeline for them as they live alone and are rarely out of the house.
The Club’s John Lindsay said: “We want the club to provide the place where people can come for a get-together and socialise with a cup of tea and cake. However we also want to provide a variety of activities for the members to choose from, to help stimulate their physical and mental wellbeing. Our members told us they would like more craft activities and some more up-to-date board games, ones to play in groups.”
John added: “We hope the new equipment will create an enjoyable and informative experience for our members and also encourage more people to attend the club, especially those 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.”
The Club is also now working with Alyth Primary School to encourage more interaction between the young and the elderly in Alyth. The projector would help with pupil presentations to Club members: the elderly would enjoy seeing the youngsters doing something and the pupils would get valuable experience presenting to groups.
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/.