A CLUB designed to help older people in Minehead socialise is celebrating after receiving £5,000 from Somerset County Council.

Minehead Baptist Church has taken over the running of the Active Living Centre, formerly the Parks Day Centre, this month and its staff and volunteers hope to reduce social isolation in the town.

It opens from 9.30am to 3.30pm on Wednesday and Friday, and offers a variety of activities covering music, art and craft, games, exercises and more.

Tea and coffee is served for the duration and a cooked meal is provided at lunch time at the church in Parks Lane.

Cllr Brenda Maitland-Walker, county councillor for Minehead, submitted the application to the council’s Community Enablement Fund, which has made the grant possible and aims to shift some services from council control to community-based providers, such as voluntary sector groups and parish councils.

She said: “It is great news that the centre will be continuing to provide day services for people in the local community, under the management of Minehead Baptist Church.”

Centre manager Wendy Hunt said: “We were so thrilled to get this money. We haven’t decided exactly what we will use it for yet but it’s a real boost, especially as we have only just started it up.

“We have some really lovely people, mainly aged over 55, so come along and join us for £5 a day.”

Call Wendy on 07749-301267 for more information about joining the club or volunteering.