This month, meet Nicky – an Elders Programme volunteer who helps with Chair Dance, Lunch Club, and minibus pickups, supporting older members to stay active, connected, and part of the community.
“I started off helping with the chair fitness class for the elders. Then I began helping with Lunch Club and recently I’ve been helping on the bus too. It’s grown from assisting with chair dance on a Tuesday morning for an hour to doing the pickups for chair dance, then the pickups for Lunch Club, helping during Lunch Club and sometimes helping with the drop offs in the afternoon. So it’s gone from one thing to three roles quite quickly.
Lunch Club starts with picking people up with the minibus. Everyone comes in, sits at the tables and has a chat.
There’s usually background music on. People tell us what they’ve been up to and share their news. I help with setting the tables, serving the food, making sure everyone has a drink, and then clearing away afterwards. Everyone gets a two-course meal plus tea and coffee, and it’s lovely to see everyone settled and talking.
For a lot of people, it’s the only outing they get that week and the only time they see others. It gives a massive sense of community. People form friendships and they look out for each other. It’s a great way to have a good meal that’s affordable, but it’s also a way to feel part of something. There’s often singing and dancing. If there’s a good tune playing, someone will be jigging along and I’ll be pulled in too. It’s fun, light-hearted and takes away some of the stress of daily life.
Chair dance and Lunch Club link together nicely because it extends the day for people who want to stay on. Some can only fit into the chair dance group because of space, and others arrive just for Lunch Club, but a lot of people stay for both. It means more interaction, more time together and more chance to talk.
There are so many moments that make me laugh. The elders are funny and full of character. There’s usually a sing-song on the bus if a song comes on the radio. Someone will say something that brings back a memory and everyone joins in. During Lunch Club, music sometimes plays and people start singing along. There are moments where someone sits at the piano and everyone joins in. Those moments give the room a really warm feeling.
I love hearing the stories people share. Some talk about singing in bars when they were younger. Some talk about past jobs and surprising careers. There are also little moments of fun, like comparing nail colours and having a laugh together. I love listening to those memories. It always makes me smile.
I absolutely love volunteering. I enjoy chatting to the elders. Everyone has a story and a background and it’s nice to get to know people. It feels like a real sense of community. I’ve also enjoyed getting to know the other volunteers and hearing their stories. It gives you a feel-good factor. You’re giving something back and doing something good, and I think everyone benefits from it.
I like meeting people and the interaction is a big part of why I enjoy volunteering. I’ve learned that you have to be flexible within the role, because you just get on with what’s needed on the day. My volunteering has shifted across different tasks, but it’s all part of the same work and everyone shares it. It’s about being willing to help, chatting to people and giving back.
I started volunteering when I moved back to London just over a year ago. I’d been away for a few years and wanted to meet people and make new connections. I’ve done quite a bit of volunteering over the years and I have a lot of empathy for older people, so this felt like the right place. I wanted to settle back into the community and do something meaningful with the elders.
I was over the moon when the chair dance sessions started up again after they paused for a while. I could see how much people missed it. It’s not just the community aspect, but the fitness, mobility and routine it gives people. Some don’t go out much during the week, so being picked up and brought in means a lot. I love being part of it and seeing everyone’s faces back in the class.”