We recently awarded funding to Shirley Lions Club CIO to help fund their annual New Year party for the pensioners in Shirley.
Due to the snow, the numbers were slightly down on previous years, but around 100 elderly residents braved the weather to turn out. The party started at 1.00 pm with a fish and chips lunch followed by songs sung by a well-known local singer. They also organised a couple of games of bingo with prizes provided by the Lions.
After the games the resident singer lead everyone in a sing a long during which some of the guests were up and dancing together. This was followed by Lions doing a Brummie version of the pantomime Cinderella which was very well received. The afternoon concluded with the drawing of the raffle with prizes again provided by the Lions.
The organisers feel that most of their guests make new friends on the day, as most of them are either widows or widowers living on their own, and so what they miss most once Christmas and New Year is over is company. Encouraging them to mingle as they arrive and then sitting them all together facilitates chats with the people sat next to them. The bingo and raffle also facilitates making new friends through the banter as someone next to them wins a prize.
The inclement weather did mean that numbers were slightly down, but those that attended had a great afternoon.