A VITAL club for over 60s in Warwick has received cash to help plug a funding gap.
The Gap community centre has been awarded £20,000 from the Severn Trent Community Fund Core Funding to support its work helping older residents find companionship and wellbeing in later life.
Based in Oakwood Grove, The Gap was launched in 2000 to bridge the gap between younger and older people. Alongside youth clubs and a community centre, it has been running older adults’ activities since its first Lunch Club began 20 years ago.
Since then, it has expanded to run a weekly Gap Goldies programme to help older people make new friends, improve their physical and mental health, and their overall quality of life.
Gap Goldies is for anyone over 60 and includes Computer Café IT help, a Live Life exercise group, Lunch Club and Bingo, Knit ‘n’ Natter, ActiviTea, and coming soon – Indoor Short Mat Bowling.
Severn Trent Community Fund Core Funding awards cash to local projects, charities and community groups to support three main elements of community wellbeing – people, places, and environment.
The Gap director Marcos Campos said: “We’re delighted the Severn Trent Community Fund Core Funding has recognised our important work. We’re thankful for the funding as we’ll be able to continue to provide opportunities for older people to meet and enjoy community togetherness in Warwick. The activities are vital because they help older people avoid loneliness and isolation, which can be as damaging to health and long life as smoking and obesity.”
