Activity Groups

60-Not-Out

This group was started more than 15 years ago to fill a social gap for elderly and physically restricted ladies and gentlemen (gentlemen members being very few - none at present). It currently has around 50 members.

The group is run by a volunteer with other volunteers helping. Meetings are held weekly on a Monday afternoon at the Volunteer Centre. Transport can be provided where necessary to pick up some members of the group from their homes and return them after the meeting. Speakers from all walks of life, with abilities and qualifications in their own specialist field, are invited to give talks, slide shows and demonstrations. A number of trips out are also arranged.

Art Group

The Art Group was set up for people interested in art and is led by a paid sessional worker. The group members decide themselves what type of art they would like to pursue. Some suggestions could include water-colours, flower or miniature painting, calligraphy, cartooning or designing greeting cards.

The History of Art could be explored. Members will be encouraged to try different techniques and the group leader will help in any way to enable group members to gain confidence and experience. Trips to art galleries etc are also arranged.

Cookery Class

This is a cookery class which allows people with special needs the opportunity to learn how to make a good nutritious meal, develop their cookery skills and have fun. The aims of this class are to establish a basic knowledge of the four food groups and their function in the body; to cook easy, cheap and nutritionally balanced meals; and to establish good hygiene habits.

Craft & Social Inclusion Class

The group is headed by a paid sessional worker and is for those with learning difficulties. They do a range of craft activities and have a number of trips out.

ShopAround

The ShopAround Group takes local disabled and elderly people out each Thursday on shopping trips and outings, with escorted assistance if required.

Macclesfield, Buxton, Ashton and Hyde are popular towns for local shopping trips, from 10 am through to 2 pm. However, in school holidays Holly's Coaches are free to take us further afield. We have visited Chester, Bury, Leek, Bolton, Southport, Chesterfield, and Bakewell.

As one lady commented, "This is not just a shop-around, it becomes a social event, everyone is so friendly and cheerful. Thanks".

Lip-Reading

The aim of this group is to keep up to date with information regarding hearing aids, magazines for people with deafness, also television services with sub-titles, loop systems, flashing light doorbell signals, amplified telephones and text phones, type-talk etc. In fact anything which will help us to get the story, rather than making up the story ourselves because we don't know what has been said. We also need to keep up to date with ear, nose and throat clinic times and venues for when our hearing aids aren't working properly - need re-tubing and batteries.

Last, but most important, we need to practice communication amongst people who understand how difficult it is to follow fast speaking moving mouths and what it is like to be left out of conversation, especially if we live alone and have no-one to practice with.

VIP

The Visually Impaired Persons group is for people who have experienced sight loss. The group offers an opportunity to meet others who have a visual impairment in a friendly, social environment. Occasional outings, speakers and activities can be organised if members wish.

The group meets on the second Thursday of every month from 10am till 12 noon.Transport can be arranged by ringing Helen on: 01663 744196.