Alcester Town Council were awarded £40,000 through the Warwickshire County Council Social Impact Fund to support their Crafty Lunch Club.
The Crafty Lunch Club provides a safe and supportive meeting place for adults with disabilities. Those accessing the club can socialise, be creative and take part in group games and gentle exercise. It also provides a space for carers to meet and have respite. The club aims to improve the wellbeing of its members by teaching new skills and to encourage friendships to reduce loneliness.
The funding supported staff, core, operational and activity costs for the project to run successfully. Wendy Sherwood, Health and Wellbeing Co-Ordinator at Alcester Town Council, shared:
“The Crafty Lunch Club (CLC) have been delighted to see the development of friendship groups which have now extended to group members meeting socially outside of our sessions. Since we have started, we have followed an 8-week programme where we have explored different themes. For example, during our ‘Around the World’ theme we did a craft relating to the country we were exploring, including group quizzes, trails, and food sampling about the chosen country. We spent time flag making and adding information each week to their scrap books.
“The CLC have a team of nine committed volunteers who dedicate time out of their week to support the group. People have attended from Studley, Bidford, Solihull and Stratford Upon Avon because this group is unique and there is nothing else similar locally.
“We have been able to signpost members to a local singing group as this is known for its benefits to well-being. We have also been able to advertise for carers which has led to recruitment and had a positive impact.”
Wendy also shared a story on one of the beneficiaries:
“Jo was in her early 20’s when she had a bike accident and as a result suffered an acquired brain injury which affected almost all aspects of her life. Prior to this Jo lived a mainstream life and up until this point had no experience of disability. As a young woman, who was also griveing the death of her baby, Jo had no local friends and was completely reliant on care. Jo attended no other local groups or day services.
“Jo joined the very first session of The Crafty Lunch Club and has attended ever since, the club has created a support network for Jo and a structure for her week. It is clear how much Jo enjoys the sessions and has become an integral part of group. Following a recent assessment with her Adult Speech and Language Therapists, it was reported they have noticed a significant improvement in Jo’s speech and credits this to her attending The CLC.
“The CLC has led to Jo socialising with other members of the group outside of our session and this social support network has been really valued by Jo and her support team.”
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