THE FUTURE of The Crafty Lunch Club in Alcester is looking more secure thanks to a cash injection from The National Lottery Community Fund.
The cash will enable the club to continue and expand its weekly support sessions for adults with learning and physical disabilities in the local community.
The Crafty Lunch Club provides a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment where adults with disabilities can socialise, take part in creative activities, enjoy shared lunches and build meaningful friendships. The project is supported by a dedicated team of 10 volunteers, alongside the organisation’s leadership team.
The weekly sessions aim to reduce social isolation, improve wellbeing and help participants feel more connected and confident. Many adults with learning and physical disabilities experience loneliness and limited opportunities to take part in regular social activities. For some attendees, The Crafty Lunch Club is the only activity they attend all week.
Since launching in 2021, the club has grown significantly. It now welcomes around 45 attendees each week, along with their carers, meaning more than 90 people regularly benefit from the sessions.
Organisers say the funding will allow them to protect what has already been built, while also looking ahead to how the project can grow and reach more people over the coming years.
Beth Clarke, director of The Crafty Lunch Club, added: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this funding from The National Lottery Community Fund. This support means we can continue providing a vital space where adults with disabilities feel welcomed, valued and included. For many of our members, this group is a lifeline and an important part of their weekly routine.”
