Launch of new Friendship Centre Federation marks a "Retirement Club Revolution"

31/03/2008

Among the many revolutions which have taken place over the past two or three decades the one which has affected the social and recreational activities of older people must surely rank high.

The time was when the local ‘Over Sixties Club’ offered little more than a few verses of ‘Daisy! Daisy!’, a cup of tea and a chat from the local vicar. No more. Now it is organised holidays, dinner parties and a host of other activities from computing to caravanning.

It was this rapid expansion of interests  which led the former Association of Retired and Persons Over 50 (ARP/050) to set up a national network of ‘Friendship Centres’ to meet the needs of local members. When the Association closed in 2006 many of the Friendship Centres decided to set up their own National Federation and with almost eighty in all parts of the country, the Federation will hold its inaugural Annual General Meeting, in Coventry on April 18th.

Although initially the organisation will mainly comprise the original Friendship Centres, the intention is to open up membership to any local social and recreational group which is providing facilities for older people at a modest annual subscription of £10 per annum per Centre. 

Member organisations can then take advantage of several key features, including low priced Public Liability and Cash in Transit insurance, free publicity on the Federation and other websites, a regular newsletter and up-to-date information on issues affecting our age group.

Full information from The Secretary; Mr Bob Hendley Telephone: 020 8931 2828 e-mail bob.hendley@ntlworld.com