Exploring Local History Before Lunch

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 can immerse themselves in the heritage of the community.

It's a wonderful way to bring conversation, laughter, and story sharing about “how things used to be,” and keeping memories alive.

Here's Just a Few of the Benefits of Reading in Later Life

• Cognitive stimulation: Reading and viewing images helps maintain mental agility, improving memory and concentration.

• Memory recall: Reflecting on past events can strengthen personal memories and trigger cherished recollections.

• Emotional well-being: Reading stories and seeing images from the past from our own community creates a sense of belonging and can reduce feelings of isolation.

• Social interaction: Discussing books and images while waiting for our lunch encourages conversation about shared experiences, and helps create new friendships and strengthens existing ones.

• Lifelong learning: Exploring local history keeps curiosity alive.

• Perspective and nostalgia: History books connect present experiences to the past, enhancing appreciation for one’s own life journey, while nostalgia is often a wonderful feeling to experience.

  
  

Whether it’s a photo of long-gone terrace houses or local shop, a story about our home town or a recollection of school days decades ago, our memory books help bring history and community to life.

By combining a hearty meal with an engaging read, our lunch clubs and men's groups prove that it’s never too late to learn, connect, and celebrate the rich community life, past and present, in our local area.

If you or someone you know would like to join us our lunch clubs or men's groups, contact our team on 0191 4600297. There's a range of activities at each group, a freshly cooked two-course meal, refreshments and accessible minibus transport from home and back again in the local area.