Birley Ward Labour Councillor Karen McGowan and Maria Flude, an Officer from Voluntary Action Sheffield visited the Birley Spa Lunch Club at Hackenthorpe Community Centre on 8 July. Over 45 people attend and have lunch prepared and served through the South Yorkshire Probation Trust Community Payback scheme. Under the scheme courts can sentence offenders of certain crimes to undertake between 40 and 300 hours of work for the community. It’s unpaid work carried out by offenders in the community, and is a national scheme delivered locally by South Yorkshire Probation Trust.
Councillor McGowan met the two key organisers Joan and Lily who themselves are pensioners and said “these ladies are amazing they do an excellent job in keeping this club going. Many of these older people wouldn’t get out if it wasn’t for clubs like these it’s not just about the food (although this is excellent value at £3 for two courses) but it’s the social side of being able to play bingo and talk to people.”
If anyone is interested in volunteering at this lunch club or anywhere else in the city or wanting information on the nearest lunch club for them please contact
Maria Flude – Tel: 0114 2536698 or email: m.flude@vas.org.uk