For over three decades, Teams and Bensham Community Care has been a lifeline for older people in Gateshead, offering warm meals, friendship and a reason to leave the house. With support from The National Lottery Community Fund, we continue to provide vital services to those who need them most. How it all began 📖 Our roots go back to the late 1980s, when we noticed a growing problem in the local area. As local housing developments were demolished and families relocated, older

A giant pack of playing cards made our morning extra special at our lunch club last week, when we played our very own version of Play Your Cards Right! It's an activity that works so well because everyone can join in. All it needs is a bit of luck and a few good guesses, as well as plenty of encouragement from the rest of the group. A simple card game can bring plenty of fun to the room. Our lunch club at the Holy Rosary in Teams, Gateshead, is a lovely place to spend time wi

This week, our wonderful volunteer, Christopher, who led a series of fun and engaging chair-based exercise sessions at our lunch clubs. Christopher encouraged everyone to get moving with a range of gentle exercises designed to improve flexibility, strength, and coordination, all from the comfort and safety of a chair. The sessions were suitable for all abilities, giving everyone the opportunity to join in at their own pace at our lunch clubs. Our lunch clubs here at Teams and

There was plenty of friendly competition at our lunch club last week as we had a go at darts on our large fabric dart board. Safe, easy to use and suitable for all abilities, the oversized board gave everyone the chance to join in, whether they were seasoned dart players or trying it for the first time. Our lunch clubs here at Teams and Bensham Community Care are held every Tuesday and Wednesday from mid morning to mid afternoon. We have a two course hot meal, plenty of activ

We are thrilled to share the success of our Big Give Small Charity Week campaign! From 12 noon on Monday 22 June to 5pm on Monday 29 June 2026, our amazing supporters came together to make double the difference for older people across central and inner west Gateshead. Thanks to your incredible generosity, we raised £2,500, and every donation was matched pound for pound by our campaign champions, the Postcode Neighbourhood Trust. This meant every gift went twice as far, helpin

​This Small Charity Week (22–29 June 2026), Teams and Bensham Community Care is proud to be part of a national celebration of the vital role small charities play in communities across the UK.​ This year’s campaign, Small charities. Big impact., shines a light on the difference small charities make every day, supporting people, strengthening communities and creating change where it matters most.​ This year, we're not only celebrating Small Charity Week, we're also taking part

After more than three years of planning, fundraising, refurbishment work, and finally moving and settling in, we were delighted to officially mark the beginning of a new chapter for our lunch clubs and men’s groups with a special blessing ceremony at our new home, Holy Rosary Parish House. The journey to this point has been a long one. Leaving our previous building was bittersweet. We were leaving behind lots of cherished memories of our Bolam Street communal lounge, but so v

Each week, a group of local gentlemen in Gateshead aged 65 and over come together to share a two-course meal and refreshments and enjoy a range of activities. Its a great way to stay connected, share stories and lots of laughs with other local gents. This week, the group marked VE Day, a significant moment in UK history. Local gentlemen gathered ahead of VE Day on 8th May 2026 The Importance of Weekly Gatherings for Men Over 65 Social connection plays a vital role in maintain

Local gents over 65 get together every week for a hot meal, plenty of refreshments, and friendly competitions at our centre in Gateshead. One of the highlights of our men's group this week has been our table top curling! It's been such a laugh, and has so many benefits too! How It Works Table top curling is a great sport, designed to be played indoors on a flat surface. Players slide small balls across a smooth surface aiming for a target area, much like the full-sized game b

This week’s lunch club had all the familiar ingredients. A warm welcome, a freshly prepared two-course meal, and the comfort of friendship and conversation. But later in the day, there was someone extra special in the room! A four-legged visitor whose presence turned our wonderful day into something truly memorable. A Great Day For many older people who attend day centres like ours, these gatherings are a vital source of connection. They offer nourishment, companionship, r

At our day centre in Gateshead, we have created a warm and welcoming space for residents over 65 to come together, enjoy a nutritious and freshly cooked two course meal, and access range of fun and wellbeing-enhancing activities! It's a great day out, from mid morning to mid afternoon, at our lunch clubs and men's groups to connect with other local people, and stay active. One enjoyable pastime is browsing through our local history books and photographs where our friends c

Easter is a great time to get together, and our lunch clubs and men's groups are a perfect setting for creative Easter crafts. We've been making colourful Easter baskets and decorating paper egg cut outs, and when paired with a lovely two course lunch, and transport from home and back again, it makes for a perfect day out this Springtime. The Benefits of Easter Crafts in Group Settings Crafting in a group setting offers many benefits, especially for older people. It's great

At our lunch club last week, we had plenty of singing and dancing along to our favourite songs. Everyone joined in with tapping feet, clapping hands, and having a good laugh. Music is an important part of our day here at the TBCC lunch clubs from our music quizzes, through to our celebration days. It doesn’t matter if we hit every note perfectly as long as we're having fun. Singing together, with a sway in our chairs to the beat or getting up on our feet for a dance, there

This week has marked an exciting new chapter for everyone at Teams and Bensham Community Care as we moved into our new home at Holy Rosary Parish House. After a great deal of planning and preparation, it has been wonderful to finally open the doors and welcome people into our new space. From the moment we arrived, there has been a real sense of warmth and enthusiasm. Staff, volunteers, and members of our community have all played a part in helping us settle in, and it has al

If you’re finding it difficult to meet new people or to find somewhere friendly to go for a few hours, you’re definitely not alone. Research shows that older people who live alone are more likely to feel lonely and disconnected from their community. You might have less regular contact with friends and family members, or you might just miss having company at mealtimes. Teams and Bensham Community Care , a charity in Gateshead, has years of experience designing and running soci

After many wonderful years at our Bolam Street communal lounge, it was time to say goodbye. It's a space which has seen so much friendship, laughter, and countless cups of tea! It's where our lunch clubs gathered each week, and where our popular men's group was born. So many lasting connections and memories have been made here. Saying Goodbye to Our Bolam Street Day Centre Bolam Street has served us well. But it's time to make way for the demolition that is taking place whe

Today at our Men’s Group in Gateshead we had a fantastic time playing a range of games, with the support of our wonderful volunteer, Linda. Volunteer Linda at our Men's Groups Our Men's Groups include a freshly cooked, two-course meal, refreshments, a range of activities, and an opportunity to chat, relax with the paper and try our popular quiz! We have transport from home and back again from addresses in Teams, Bensham, Dunston, Lobley Hill, Saltwell and Central Gateshead,

Friendship groups and day centre for older people in Gateshead

Our lunch clubs and men’s group are full of fun, friendship, and activities that bring people together. From bingo and dominoes to crafts and tabletop curling, these sessions help older people stay active, connected, and uplifted proving that laughter and good company are some of the best ingredients for wellbeing.

It’s an exciting time for our team and volunteers as work continues on the refurbishment of Holy Rosary. The transformation is well underway, and we’re thrilled to share an update on how things are progressing behind the scenes. Our New Venue at Holy Rosary Parish House For 35 years, Teams and Bensham Community Care has been a lifeline for older adults in the area, hosting lunch clubs , men's groups , and a variety of social activities designed to combat isolation, promote we