Young at Heart Club mark a decade of defying loneliness and fostering community

Decade-old and still beating strong, the Young at Heart Club recently threw a party that was anything but retiring.

The club, nestled in the heart of Burlescombe Community Hall, was founded by the compassionate duo Lloyd and Diana Yorke in 2014. Their mission was to combat the mental health toll of loneliness and isolation among our older community members. The club is more than just a place to escape four walls; it's a vibrant hub where friendships blossom and a sense of belonging to the community is nurtured.

Over the past ten years, the club has helped over 150 members and provided over 65,000 hours of relief from loneliness for the most vulnerable members of our community. The members’ families have peace of mind knowing that their loved ones are cared for in a safe/friendly environment and provided with a nutritious two-course lunch and refreshments.

Club members are not mere participants; they are the lifeblood of our activities. They immerse themselves in a diverse range of pursuits, from the thrill of new-age curling, skittles, golf, bowls, darts, and basketball to the creativity of craftwork. The club also plays host to special guests and musical entertainers, adding a spark of excitement to their routine.

Lloyd and Diana shared, “The past ten years have been a journey of enrichment for us. We've faced our share of challenges, with the COVID-19 pandemic being the most formidable. Many local Day Services shuttered their doors, but we saw this as an opportunity to innovate. We created new services to stay connected with our members during the lockdown, demonstrating our commitment to their well-being and happiness.

“We created a monthly Newsletter where members contributed photos and personal stories. We also started a ‘ChitChat’ phone service each week, where members could phone a freephone number and chat for an hour or so each week”.

Over the past ten years the Young at Heart Club has been featured on regional television and radio stations and extensive coverage in the Mid Devon Gazette . The areas MPs and councillors have praised and acknowledged their work as a service that makes a real difference to so many lives.:

Lloyd and Diana said, “We are immensely proud of the club we started in 2014 and never dreamt it would be so popular. The best part of the job is meeting such wonderful older people in our community. It has been tough work, and we could not have achieved this without the wonderful volunteers and everyone else who has supported us.”

Young at Heart Club can be contacted on 07704 040 399 or via their website, www.youngatheartclub.co.uk