Friendship Groups & Day Centres For Older People in Gateshead

Day centres are welcoming community venues where older people can enjoy companionship, take part in fun activities, share hot meals, and receive care, all under one accessible roof.

Our lunch clubs and men's groups are designed specifically to provide friendship groups for older people in Gateshead, helping local residents stay connected and supported.

Research consistently shows that attending a day centre for older people brings significant social, emotional, and physical benefits.

Here are 8 key benefits of our day centres and friendship groups for older people, and why they’re such an important part of community life in Gateshead.

Staying Connected

Loneliness is one of the most serious challenges faced by older adults, often leading to a decline in both mental and physical health. Friendship groups for older people in Gateshead provide regular social contact, laughter, and a sense of belonging.

At Teams and Bensham Community Care, 83% of attendees reported feeling more confident after joining their local day centre.

Simply spending time with others, sharing stories, and being heard can make a life-changing difference.

Our team listens, chats, and builds trust with every attendee. These relationships help us quickly spot when someone may need extra support and, with that trust in place, it’s easy to guide people to the right help.

92% of our beneficiaries said that attending Teams and Bensham Community Care' groups helped them feel less lonely and better able to cope with life’s challenges.

Day centres and friendship groups benefit carers too. According to Carers UK, 8 out of 10 carers feel lonely and disconnected. Day centres give carers valuable time to recharge, improving their own well-being while knowing their loved one is safe and happy.

Beneficiaries of Teams and Bensham Community Care describe the supportive community and social aspects of the service as being of most value to them. One the surface, this is related to enjoyment and ‘getting out of the house’ yet scientifically, social engagement and a supportive community is also one of the greatest contributors to avoid loneliness. Therefore, the social aspects of an intervention, particularly for this client group, are often the most beneficial. (Social Value Business) 

Better Access to Services

Many older people find their first step into support through day centres in Gateshead is the most important step. Our groups offer social care, which is often the first type of help an older person accepts. Once people experience the benefits, they’re more likely to engage with other services that support independence and well-being.

At Teams and Bensham Community Care, attendees often say that without our day centre, they wouldn’t have accessed any services at all and their increased confidence and positivity led to further engagement and connection.

Accessible community transport is another key benefit of our groups that makes attending easier. Our door-to-door minibus service helps people get to and from the centre safely which is a lifeline for those who would otherwise be unable to leave home. Many tell us that without this, they might not leave the house for weeks.

Attendees discussed their increased confidence, self-esteem and ‘positivity’ in different ways, and for many, this led to further motivation to engage. (Social Value Business)

Reduced Worry

Life changes, such as health issues or reduced mobility, can cause anxiety. Attending a friendship group for older people in Gateshead can bring peace of mind. There's always some one to talk to, and this peer support with people of a similar age and life experiences, who understand what each other is going through, is invaluable.

84% of attendees at our centres reported feeling less anxious, and 91% of these went on to experience better overall health (Social Value Business).

Better Health and Well-being

Many older people who attend day centres take part in activities such as games, quizzes, arts and crafts, celebrations, short courses and music and memory projects. Whilst the main aim of these activities at is to ensure everyone has a positive, enjoyable day, there are other benefits too.

Memory projects for example help to bring a sense of nostalgia and encourages the telling of stories. This provides comfort, particularly to participants who are experiencing memory loss.

Creative pursuits have proven benefits to fine motor skills, relaxation, coordination, expression and skills building.

Friends of our lunch clubs and men's groups describe the activities as keeping the brain active and they can often lead to people taking up new hobbies at home too.  

75 of attendees feel they are keeping their mind more active which has a number of benefits to mental health and well-being. (Social Value Business)

Independence

Day centres play a vital role in helping older people stay independent. 84% of attendees at our Gateshead day centre said the support helped them live more independently.

Many said it reduced the “burden” on their families and helped them stay in their own homes longer, delaying or preventing the need for sheltered accommodation for example.

Happiness

Having something to look forward to each week brings purpose. At Teams and Bensham Community Care, 100% of beneficiaries and volunteers said they felt happier and more fulfilled after attending our centre (Social Value Business).

Regular contact, laughter, and a sense of belonging increase confidence and optimism, creating a ripple effect that boosts motivation and resilience.

These feelings form the foundation of lasting friendships and emotional security.

100% of beneficiaries & volunteers disclosed feeling happier in themselves for coming to the Teams and Bensham Community Care day centre. They enjoy seeing the team and their friends and taking part in activities. (Social Value Business)

Nutrition

In our social impact research last year, we found that our lunch club attendees made improvements in diet. This was due to older people accessing a freshly cooked meal and being supported to manage their diet at home.

Our beneficiaries help to design our menus, and the traditional, hearty meals are most popular (mince and dumplings for instance, followed by a home made rice pudding!).

Such meals are comforting, and with freshly baked goods to take home too, people are well catered for.

Benefits for Volunteers

Teams and Bensham Community Care welcomes volunteers every weekday to the charity, and the research shows how quickly volunteers can experience positive changes to well-being as a result.

Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, learn new skills and we always provide a reference for any volunteer who is moving on to another volunteer opportunity or paid employment elsewhere.

The Teams and Bensham Community Care volunteers’ purpose relates to enjoyment, reduced isolation, community connection and being useful.(Social Value Business)

More Information about Day Centres

When is it time to consider a day centre?

The best time to join a day centre is whenever you want to enjoy good company, warm meals, and fun activities!

Many people contact us directly after hearing from friends or neighbours who love attending. Others are referred by health professionals such as GPs, community nurses, or occupational therapists.

Day centres are especially helpful:

• To give carers respite

• After a health diagnosis that makes socialising more difficult

• When isolation or loneliness is identified

  
  

What makes a good day centre?

A great day centre for older people offers:

• A warm welcome and friendly staff

• Accessible facilities

• A variety of enjoyable activities

• Reliable transport

• Delicious food

• A sense of inclusion and laughter

What questions should you ask a day centre provider?

If you’re considering joining a day centre or friendship group for older people in Gateshead, do not hesitate to contact us to ask as many question as you wish. We're here to help. If you're unsure or just starting to look for a day centre or friendship group in our outside of Gateshead, here are a few questions to help you choose the right one:

• What is the eligibility criteria? Different centres cater for different age groups, health conditions or geographical area for example.

• Does the team provide personal care if I need it?

• Can I have a meal delivered if I can't make it to the centre one week?

• What safety measures are in place?

• What activities are available?

• What are the days that I can attend?

• What is on the menu?

• Is transport provided in my area?

In Summary

The benefits of attending a day centre are far reaching and can make a lasting difference to many areas of a persons life. It can transform feelings of isolation into feelings of being well connected and supported, and can alleviate low mood, anxiety and depression into feelings of happiness, fulfilment and positivity. It can be a catalyst for change too, by opening the door to further opportunities to engage in activities and services that can lead to even greater health and well-being outcomes. Carers feel more supported, and volunteers can thrive.  

If you or someone you know would like to join us at one or more of our lunch clubs (held mid-morning to mid-afternoons on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays) or one or both of our men's groups (held mid-morning to mid-afternoon on Mondays and Thursdays), 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.