Brendoncare Club of the Month – Weeke Friendship Club

Brendoncare’s network of community clubs across Hampshire and Dorset is now more than 70 strong. But one of Brendoncare’s very first clubs meets just a mile away from where Brendoncare was founded.

There is always a buzz at Weeke Friendship Club in Winchester.  This is in no small part due to the close camaraderie and friendship among its members.

During one afternoon meeting recently, the club was particularly buzzing with the sound of sewing machines. This was when the club hosted a community sewing afternoon with St John’s Winchester.

St John’s Winchester is the organiser of the community project, Fabric of Winchester. The project which started in September invited businesses, organisations, and individuals from across Winchester to embroider fabric “blocks” to go on memory quilts.

The embroidered blocks feature events or patterns depicting something special and personal for the creator. The finished quilts will go on display in the Arc, Winchester. They will then be donated to Winchester Hospice as gifts from the community.

The members have proudly created their own block featuring all their names which will be sewn into one of the quilts.

This is the latest in the many exciting diverse activities members have enjoyed over the years since the club started.

Club’s origins

The club’s regular meeting place, Weeke Community Centre, is just a mile away from where Brendoncare started in Park Road, Winchester.

Regular member Hazel recalls how she and four other members started a club 17 years ago. It began when they hired a coach to take them on a trip to Wilton House. But sadly, numbers were low and they needed to fill up the coach. “We asked some of the ladies from Weeke Townswomen’s Guild to join us,” explains Hazel.  The Friendship Club evolved from there.

A team of three volunteers oversee the activities. One of them, Hilary, who put together their beautifully embroidered block, has been volunteering for 10 years.

“We have a variety of people, including interesting speakers, coming to the club,” Hilary says.  “We also have fun playing games such as quoits, skittles and kurling.” That is on top of the quizzes, games of cards and craft sessions in which they all participate.

Recent trips have included to Lee-on-the-Solent and a garden centre in Christchurch.

Poet

The club also has a resident poet, Mary, one of whose poems she read out on Winchester Radio when the station came to meet members.

Di Castle, Brendoncare’s Clubs’ Community Development & Support Worker, coordinated the Fabric of Winchester session at the club where she is a familiar face.

“They are such a friendly crowd, who really look forward to their weekly meetings because they are a great chance to get together and catch up.

“But they would love to see some new faces at the club. Rest assured, they will receive a warm welcome and have a chance to enjoy some fantastic fun activities in excellent company.”

The club meets on Friday afternoons between 2pm and 4pm.

If you would like to find out more about becoming a member of the Weeke Friendship Club – or any of the many other clubs Brendoncare provides for older people, just call 01962 857099 or email: clubs@brendoncare.org.uk.

Membership entitles you to enjoy all Brendoncare’s clubs, online community support services and activities.