Our Sunday Club

The club first opened its doors in October 2000. It has since gone from strength to strength, with well over 100 members on its register and a regular attendance of over 70 members.

The Sunday Club is held at the Waveney Centre, Beccles. This is an excellent central venue, with beautiful gardens and views across Beccles marshes.

The building itself is on the ground floor, making it easy for wheelchair users and those with a mobility impairment to access all facilities.

The club was set up to help alleviate the loneliness that is felt by so many elderly people, especially at the weekends. Members will tell you it’s the wonderfully, warm, friendly atmosphere that helps to make it so popular. The club was the idea of Jill Asquith (now Chairman of the club). Jill first got the idea from visiting many elderly and disabled people in the course of her work for Beccles Volunteer Centre. It seemed to her, that so many of the people who were alone due to the death of a partner or who had families whom had moved away, all said that it was the weekends that were the loneliest time of all.

Many of the clubs and organisations that take place throughout the week are closed on both Saturday and Sunday. Buses provide a reduced service only at this time (even if you are physically able to get out and about) many shops are closed and to top the lot, every one around you seems to be frantically busy with their own lives. There was no provision in Beccles or indeed Suffolk for these people to get together on a Sunday.

With this in mind Jill applied for a grant from the National Lotteries Charity Trust. Asking for some funding to start, just such a club. The application was successful and received almost £15,000 to run the club for a three year period. The rest as they say is history.

The club has continued to meet on the 1st and the 3rd Sunday of each month ever since and is as popular as ever. We simply bring people together, to meet up with old friends and make new ones. Volunteers serve tea and home made cakes etc. There is always entertainment from a variety of local performers, sing-a-long sessions, bingo, sometimes we hold a quiz or have someone in to demonstrate crafts. Most of all there is loads of company.

New members are always made very welcome, so there is no excuse. Come and give us a try.

The club also operates three buses, so is able to provide transport for those who need it. This is available free of charge, however most members do prefer to make a small donation for this service which is very much appreciated, as obviously any donations we recieve to help with the running costs are very welcome and means we can continue to offer this service free of charge for those who otherwise couldnt afford it.

Click Here To Find Out About How You Can Get Involved with helping out at the Sunday Club