Easing isolation: bringing Yeovil’s older people together

Discover how a grant for £5,000 helped the Good Fellowship Club bring together isolated older people across Yeovil.

“If we couldn’t provide older people with the transport they need to get here the Good Fellowship Club would have to close,” says club organiser Beryl Garton.

And that would be a disaster for the lonely, often disabled older people who use the club each week to meet friends, take part in activities and enjoy a cup of tea together.

“Our 2 buses cost £9,000 every year to run – which is quite a substantial amount,” explains Beryl.

“Safeguarding means that we have to use the buses. People may be disabled, or have specific needs, which means we can’t bring members along in a car.

“The club’s been running in one form or another since 1966 [Beryl has been working with them since 2003]. Somerset Community Foundation has provided us with lots of funding over the years, which helps keep the club open.”

She says that the club is a community space for people who’re vulnerable in different ways – whether they’re lonely, frail or living with a disability.

“Most don’t go out by themselves,” she says.

“Plus, even if they have family living in Yeovil, they’re not seeing them very often.”

Going beyond bingo

The club is very popular – and currently there’s a waiting list for spaces on transport. Potential members find out about it through the local library, or can be referred for a place by health coaches.

At the club activities go way beyond bingo. Village Agents have visited to share the benefits for older people that often go unclaimed, while Yeovil’s town crier has talked about his job and a local ukulele group came to lead a sing-song.

“There are lovely people out there who are quite happy to come and tell us about whatever interests them,” says Beryl.

“For some of our members the physical side of life is hard. But meeting with others, and hearing about new things, helps feed their minds.”

Photo caption: Good Fellowship Club’s community transport in action.