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Bright Days Update June - Sept 16
Brighter Ways Brighter Ways Brighter Ways Brighter Ways
Brighter DaysBrighter DaysBrighter DaysBrighter Days
This month we have sadly lost Susan Frost our Bright Days Coordinator who has decided to retire and I’m sure you will join me in wishing her well in her retire-ment.
A new Bright Days Project Coordinator has been ap-pointed; Debra Simmons. Debra has been with Bright Days for over a year now and is looking forward to building on the diverse programme and taking on the challenge of building something new.
11 o Clock Club
Did you know that
Bright Days has a
friendship group
based in Leigh?
The 11 ’O’ Clock Club
meets every Monday
morning at, strangely
enough, 11 ‘O’ Clock.
Wharfdale Sheltered
Accommodation, Henry Street, near
Tesco, Leigh, WN7 2PG. £2.00
Each week the support worker, Karen
Slayen, supports the group in the activi-
ties they’d like to do. Some weeks it’s a
cup of tea and a natter, other weeks it’s a
game of cards and a quiz. Most recently
the group have begun some crafts and
have made the lovely vases you can see
below.
Soon the group hopes to plan a trip,
This is a friendly warm place to meet new
people and we are
always looking for
new members.
Come along.
On the 29th April we held a
joint fundraiser with The
Old Courts to raise monies
for our Jamming Sessions
and towards the disabled facilities at the Old
Courts.
Thank you all for sup-
porting our fundraiser
we had a fantastic
turnout.
The total figure raised
was £536.00.
Meanwhile on the 29th
April over at Hesketh
Manor, Bullough Street, Atherton we held a Spring
Social . Local residents enjoyed an afternoon of
music with Gerry Sandon, Bingo and and even a
buffet. ‘
‘There was something for everyone, he had such a
lovely voice’
‘What a laugh we had’
Meet some of our Bright Days Volunteers
David Stephens - David is our super amazing admin
volunteer
David spent most of his working career in the nuclear in-
dustry working 28 years for British Nuclear Fuels as a pro-
ject controls manager. Four of those years in the USA, an-
other 4 years with atomic weapons establishment and then
some minor consultancy work before retiring in 2011.
Now David is retired he spends his spare time holidaying in
Portugal and the Greek Islands, playing golf and buying
vintage cars as well as offering some of his free time to
help within the Bright Days office.
David has a wealth of knowledge, he relishes a challenge and we couldn’t manage without him.
Elizabeth Paxton - Elizabeth is swim-tastic
Elizabeth has taken on a variety of roles whilst volunteering for
Age UK Wigan Borough. Elizabeth started within the befriending
team. Elizabeth expresses that she enjoyed this role as she got
to talk to people and ’cheer them up’ and anyone who knows
Elizabeth can attest to this being one of her finest qualities.
In 2012 following on from befriending Elizabeth then volunteered
at our ‘Swim and Chat’ but then went on to volunteer at Clarington Soup and Sandwich,
Ambergate and Dance. Elizabeth really enjoyed all these roles, remarking that volunteering is a
wonderful way to spend her spare time.
Elizabeth thinks that she’ll be hanging up her volunteering boots at her 10 year anniversary but
we know she won’t be able to keep away! Elizabeth currently runs ‘Swim and Chat’, so give her
a wave next time you’re there.
Kath Forshaw - Trinity
Kath used to work at Age UK Wigan Borough for 12 years.
Initially Kath worked in reception then took a year out in
2003 to go travelling around the world. How Amazing!
She visited Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Canada and Ameri-
ca. When Kath ‘ran out of money’ she returned to the organi-
sation she loved within the Information and Advice team.
Kath finally retired in 2012 and began volunteering for Bright
Days at Trinity URC Luncheon club which she thoroughly enjoys. In her spare time Kath belongs
to a walking club, enjoys tai chi, Zumba gold, dancercise and reading.
Story Time:
For the umpteenth time that afternoon Peggy checked the immaculately
laid tea table; best lace cloth, bone china tea set, vase of flowers as well as
all the delicious treats she had baked herself. This was truly a wonderful
day, the reunion with a sister she had not seen or spoken to for so long.
They had fallen out years ago over a man. Peggy closed her eyes tightly,
even after all this time it still hurt, but she forced herself to smile. No unhap-
py memories today, just joyful anticipation.
A glance at the clock told her it was 3.45pm, just 15 minutes to go. Her heart began to race, she
moved the big box of peppermints, Barbara’s favourite sweets, to the centre of the table admiring
the elegantly tied pink bow and pretty gold gift tag that adorned it.
Suddenly the door bell rang; could that be Barbara arriving early? Perhaps she was also impa-
tient for the reunion. Peggy flung open the front door, arms out wide but stood open mouthed
with surprise at what she sawEE..
One of our Bright Days members began this story, and we thought it would be a brilliant
idea for our members to carry it on.
Send a paragraph to [email protected] or post to Debra Sim-
mons, Pennyhurst Mill, Haig Street, Wigan, WN3 4AZ and the best will be printed.
Here and
There is
going on the
road!
Want to get together with
friends?
Visit the local tearooms and
eateries with us this summer.
First stop
Coffee Bank,
1 Wallgate, Wigan WN1 1LD,
on Tuesday 26th
July at 2pm.
**New for Summer**
Bingo
Winster House,
Helvellyn Road, Norley Hall,
Wigan, Greater Manchester,
WN5 9UR
Starts 4th July 2pm-3.30pm
**New instructors**
‘Strictly’ for Beginners’
Aspull Methodist
Church Hall,
New Springs, Wigan Road,
Aspull, WN2 1PP
Wednesday 1.30-2.30
£3.50
Line Dance
Kingsleigh Methodist Church
Hall, King Street, Leigh,
WN7 4LR
Friday 1.30-2.30 £3.50
Beginners Golf
Friday 15th July -
Friday 19th
August
Haigh Golf Club, Haigh Country
Par, Aspull, Wigan WN2 1PE
Weekly sessions start at
10:45am for 1 hour.
Tuesday 12th July -
16th August
Pennington Golf Club,
Pennington Country Park,
Leigh WN7 3PA
Weekly sessions start at
10:45am for 1 hour.
Both courses will cost £15 for
the 6 weeks (including tuition
and equipment). To book
01942 488481.
Age UK Wigan Borough is a trading name of Age Concern Wigan Borough which is a registered Charity (1103022)
and company limited by guarantee. Registered in England and Wales No 5004789. Registered Office: 68 Market St,
Wigan, WN1 1HX.
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01942 615883.
www.facebook.com/
AgeUKWiganBrightDays
Visit our page for all of our latest news and
offers. ‘Like and Share’
Walking Football
A word from Alan Bartley a member of the Wigan Walkers
Sponsored by Age UK Wigan Borough
“ If you think your footballing days are over, think again”
The sport which is basically a slower version of soccer, is aimed at people over 50. Running is not allowed, slide tackles are not allowed and the ball must not travel above head height. The
game is played on 3G artificial turf which is gentler on knees and the lower body.
Since its inception a few years ago, and with the help of the Barclay’s Bank advert, interest in the sport has exploded. There are now over 500 clubs across the country, as well as going global.
We are a thriving club based at the Power League Soccer Dome, DW Stadium Wigan.
At the age of 76 and in reasonable health, I have been with the club which started in September 2014. What never fails to impress me every week is the drive and passion of the members we know to have problems, whether physical, cardiac, respiratory or other. The sessions also help others who have lost loved ones or are simply lonely. It is rewarding to see the improvement in people’s health as weeks go by. The socialising before and after the session is enjoyed by all.
Throughout the year we take part in tournaments and leagues both home and away. Clubs taking part are from Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Cheshire and as far afield as Leeds
and Birmingham.
IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED YOU ARE WELCOME TO DROP IN AT THE SOCCERDOME
ANY WEDNESDAY MORNING AFTER 10am.
