Clubs

Clubs are the life and soul of our charity and there's usually something for everyone.

English Clubs

We feel that it is important as part of building communities to be able to share a common spoken language that is necessary for good communication, building relationships and in widening opportunity and exercise choice. Two thirds of our users have English as a second language with just under half lacking confidence in speaking or being able to read English. Moreover, over reliance on others makes older people vulnerable to exploitation and dependency. We have established a range of English Clubs that create fun and enjoyable ways of learning a new language that takes into account how older people learn differently and uses a buddy system of encouragement and motivational support. Our London Explorers Club is a popular way in engaging users in building confidence and in improving their English. It also introduces people in discovery all that the Capital has to offer. We recruit English-speaking volunteers to act as English Buddies in sessions and on trips. Our English Club usually meets on Mondays and is supported by an ESOL tutor from Camden ACL.

Bingo Clubs

Inevitably there are bingo clubs that do motivate many of our more isolated housebound users in getting out of their homes each week with the chance of getting lucky and winning a few pounds and in seeing and meeting friends old and new. In recent years bingo has been rehabilitated to some extent as an excellent way of reducing risk of dementia as it engages people in the coordination of eyes, ears and hands!

“studies have shown that playing bingo can be beneficial for older people to promote their cognitive skills. It is due to the presence of skill and alertness required to play this game. Not only for that, it is valuable to train the brain to measure information well and promote the mental speed as well”.

The bingo club is every Wednesday afternoon at the centre in Cumberland
Market.

Theatre Club

We are a long time community partner with the New Diorama Theatre – a local 81 seat theatre in Regents Place. The Theatre Club was created for users, their carers and guests who would not usually be able to visit the theatre due to confidence, mobility, low income. Anybody in fact who is over 60 years may apply and do not need to be an existing TAP member All performances are age and dementia friendly and stewarded by Third Age Project volunteers. Most matinee performances are text captioned by StageTEXT for the profoundly deaf or hard of hearing and for the benefit of an older audience. A particularly special aspect is the complimentary afternoon tea after the show with an opportunity to meet the cast. The range of performances are extraordinary and often challenging by tackling difficult human issues such as racism, sexism and autism.

Cycling Club

The cycling club originally started during the first national lockdown in 2020 to provide a safe, social and enjoyable means of getting out of your home, exercising and taking advantage of the deserted streets of Central London! The club became more attractive as a result of being loaned 4 electric bikes to those unfit or to help them get started. Several members were referred to us for suffering loneliness and depression have since become passionate cyclists. One new member discovered the joy of cycling on her 80th birthday and has never looked back. Cyclists took on an important role during the Covid-19 pandemic by helping us to deliver shopping and essential supplies to those self—isolating at home. David, our men’s worker, took on the role of cycling group organiser in arranging trips and providing confidence-building and training to beginners. Geoff, a volunteer, subsequently took over this role if 2021. The cycling club organises trips within London usually on Wednesdays each week.

Tunes on TAP

The Ukulele is one of the simplest musical instruments to learn how to play especially by those not from a musical background. It was originally started by Laurie from Capital Arts with initial funding for the purchase of instruments from Ageing Better in Camden. It subsequently was revived by volunteer Geoff as a means of encouraging those experiencing FOGO (fear of going out) as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic to come out and re-connect to others and discover the joys of making music together.

Despite several of the group having major barriers to learning (eg. dementia and poor mental health) it has gone from strength to strength with a solid core of regular attendees who usually meet on Tuesday mornings at the Centre. They have created and produced their own Songbook and now have some regular gigs such as the Wellness Cafe in Highgate.

Walking Groups

There are two weekly regular volunteer led walks on Thursday mornings that are also accredited with the national Walking for Health scheme that has the additional benefits of free training, insurance cover with data fed into a central database. The Ramblers Association has been the national coordinating body (currently being re- tendered) with local boroughs like Camden having an Active Health Team to provide support locally. It is the largest network of health walk schemes in England helping thousands of people across the country to lead more active lifestyles.

The clubs come under our Wellbeing Card scheme (works like a loyalty or coffee cup scheme with a stamp for every walk completed) sponsored by local businesses to provide additional motivation to take part targeting those new to regular exercise, referrals and those too anxious to take part in indoor sessional activities. We have found the clubs a successful gateway for referrals to be inducted into TAP programmes and in making new friends. Feedback received indicate the high value placed by participants on these schemes that have operated throughout the period when government restrictions have allowed it and a good way in socialising with others and in providing opportunities for making new friends. There have also been many spin offs such as sub groups organising other trips and events.

Gardening Club

We have some precious outdoor space at our Centre in Cumberland Market that is being turned into a wonderful colourful, sensory and wellbeing garden as well as an outdoor classroom and social space. There is an active Gardening Club with enthusiastic TAP Member- Elizabeth- with new volunteers always welcome. Recently we have created two large raised beds to grow herbs and salads for our Lunch Clubs. As Elizabeth says ‘Gardening adds years to your life and life to your years.’ Time and activity in nature is good for us. Evidence strongly suggests that if we spend time in a green environment, then we reduce stress, improve mood and come away self-reporting improved wellbeing.

TAP Lunch Clubs

It is essential that our more isolated older users have access to low cost nourishing healthy meals particularly during the colder Winter months. It is also an important way for many to socialise and make new friendships. Food is also a good incentive to bring diverse people together to learn and appreciate each other recipes and cultural diets! WE celebrate many of our different cultures and special events in this way!

Members Forum

We actively promote a strong self-help ethos among our registered users with the aim of empowering older people to have a greater voice and also as one of the five Ways to Wellbeing that improves wellbeing through giving to others as well as in receiving. In 2009 we set up a formal membership scheme in recognition of our users as among our key stakeholders and to have great influence in the decision-making within the Charity. Around two thirds of our registered users have decided to become a TAP member (261) that involves an annual donation fee of £10.00 and agreeing to a set of simple guiding principles. There is a Members Forum that meets regularly consisting of user representatives chaired by a trustee user representative so that there is a direct link to a Board of Trustees – the governing body of the Charity that meets quarterly. The Forum has a vital role in providing feedback and comment, supporting the Manager and staff team on a day to day basis and in co-ordinating our volunteering programme.

TAP MEMBERSHIP RULES

Give my time to help others who may be less able and provide practical help and support in the running of the charity’s self-help groups, community services and social events.
Respect another user/member’s privacy and confidentiality.
To always treat others respectfully. We do not tolerate any type of bullying or harassment including physical, verbal or emotional and in such circumstances the persons involved will be spoken to and if continues they may be excluded from membership or as a user of our services.
To be willing to make a donation as a contribution towards costs whenever requested to do so.
To present your 2021-2022 Third Age Project membership card when asked to do so when
enrolling or booking for an activity or trip.
The charity maintains a photographic and video record of our activities. They may be used in our newsletter and for general publicity, including on our web site. I give my permission for photos and videos to be used for the charity’s own publicity purposes.
If you have a carer they must remain with you at all times whilst with us and encouraged to join in activities
I agree to comply with TAP’s COVID-secure guidelines and procedures
We wish to retain the right to withdraw or decline registration at any time and at our discretion but we will give you reasons for our decisions and you can appeal to the Board of Trustees within 28 days