A Wiveliscombe-based charity is celebrating two first anniversaries and a new club, in addition to its ongoing work helping older adults and isolated residents who live in the town and surrounding 10 Parishes.

Hub and Grub, a part of Wivey Cares charity, celebrated its first anniversary last Friday (October 9); Wivey Amblers, a walking group within the charity, also celebrated its first anniversary; and a new venture, Parkinson’s Café, started up yesterday (October 15).

And that is on top of the charity’s other regular work organising micro-providers who help people in their own homes, and running a Memory Activity Group for those with memory issues and their carers.

The Hub and Grub first anniversary celebration at Wiveliscombe Community Centre saw over 30 people gather for the regular Friday date to enjoy a two-course lunch and entertainment, on this occasion with a guitar and ukulele duo.

Project Co-ordinator Tamzin Jones was delighted with how the first year has gone. “We had been running the Memory Group for people with memory issues, and realised there were a lot of other people in the later stages of life who were on their own, or isolated, so we set this up for anyone who wants to meet friends, make new friends, and stave off loneliness.

“Our youngest member is around 60 and our oldest 94. It has become a really lovely social thing for people, and many meet up outside of the Friday date,” she said.

The regular event starts at 10.30am with tea and a chat, games for those who want to play, or do crafts, followed by the two-course lunch – all organised by the group’s seven volunteers – and some form of talk or entertainment afterwards.

Wivey Amblers, which the charity started at the same time as Hub and Grub, aims to encourage people to get more exercise, and the social aspect of a coffee and chat afterwards is just as important.

The gentle weekly walks cover between half to one and a half miles, depending on the abilities of whoever comes. The charity hopes to now find a second walk leader so that people who want to do more can go further, before everyone then meets up to socialise.

The new Parkinson’s Café, which started yesterday, is going to be held monthly at Nynehead village Memorial Hall, and is aimed not just for those with the disease or their carers, but for anyone affected, including family or friends.

“Statistics show Parkinson’s has increased,” said Valeria Coots, a trustee of Wivey Cares and organiser of the new café.

“There is a terrific Parkinson’s café in Hemyock and also Taunton, but we think there is a demand for a café more locally.

“It gives people a chance to meet others who are in the same situation, and brings them together for peer support,” she said.

The café will be held on the third Thursday every month, from 2.15pm – 3.45pm.