MEMBERS and volunteers from a care home’s social club were delighted to see their community doors reopen.

In the week beginning on Monday, September 5, Otterbourne Hill care home was relieved to be re-opening its community hub which was forced to close during the lockdown restrictions.

Before the pandemic, the Brendoncare home had run more than 15 social and wellbeing clubs from the community base. But being co-located with the nursing home meant that, to keep everyone safe, the facility needed its own entrance before opening its doors again.

The facility was declared open by Eastleigh’s Deputy Mayor, councillor Nick Couldrey, who cut the ribbon on the new separate entrance. He said:“I’m very glad to be here, it’s important we have spaces for the community to meet. Covid has absolutely destroyed all these so now we’re recovering and we’re very glad to see Brendoncare ahead of the game here.”

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Peter Fuller and his wife Betty have been club members for a number of years. Peter commented: “It’s a social thing for the community. We live just up the road and we’ve been coming ever since it’s been open, before Covid. Quite a number of years. You see when we retired we have no transport, although we’ve got a nice bungalow and big garden we’re a bit trapped. We’re reliant on my daughter to take us out. People here can get companionship, and make new friends. We come to the coffee mornings, quiz mornings… We meet lots of nice people. It’s sociable.”

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Volunteer, Val Down said: “I’m very pleased to be back. It’s just such an asset for the community, getting the community and residents to mix so I’m very glad to be back inside”.

The social club held a special celebration with tea and cake and members enjoyed showing off the facilities and playing games on the interactive table.

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Vilma Patrizio, club manager, said: “Re-opening the Hub at Otterbourne Hill means that we can welcome back the community to join us at Club and we also look forward to gradually introducing events and raising awareness of the space. We are all looking forward to welcoming new faces, forging friendships in the community both at club member and at a professional level. We have a variety of clubs planned with laughter and fun on the agenda. We work hard to cut the tie of isolation and simply bring people together.”  

Brendoncare is a registered charity, dedicated to improving the quality of life for older people through its care homes and community clubs. For more information email clubs@brendoncare.org.uk or go to brendoncare.org.uk/care/our-care-homes/otterbourne-hill.