Christmas Sprout Season seems such a long time ago doesn’t it, now that we’ve tripped over into February, so here’s your Winter News Round-up to bring some cheer.
Whilst we’re still definitely in winter, there’s no better time to take a lovely look back at some of the wonderful parties, outings, and celebrations we’ve had over this winter period at Teesdale Day Clubs: Christmas parties, outings, and some very important birthdays!
Before Christmas, we enjoyed some sheep therapy at our wellbeing day in Gainford which we held in partnership with the GP practice, TEWV, and the Gainford Warm & Welcome group. And we took a minibus trip outing to the alpaca farm in some glorious warming winter sunshine (aren’t they cute!). People commented on how calming the animals are to be around.
“What I liked best was the calm animals and lovely chat with people.”
All our activities, clubs, and outings are aimed at alleviating feelings of loneliness. There are many people who don’t have people to go places with, eat with, chat with; and life can become quiet and limited without support to get out and about. We do our very best to be there with some warmth and variety.
Lynn feeding one of the alpacas on this bright winter day when we took a small group of people to visit Teesdale Alpacas
Staindrop lunch club enjoyed having the primary school children over for a few pre-Christmas games, which everyone always enjoys. We’ve been doing this for the last 3 or 4 years now and it’s lovely to see the younger children getting competitive with some of our older members.
Staindrop Primary School children visit to play cards and games with the lunch club members – November 2025
Our team (Club Leaders, Chefs, and all our volunteers together) always make Christmas a special time for our lunch club members, knowing that some people don’t have a family table to gather around anymore, and so they really go to town with table decorations, entertainment, menus, and fun.
For some people their lunch club is often their only proper Christmas meal in shared company. Some of our clubs go out and about, and others stay in their regular venues. But everyone has fun…
Here’s a few of the lovely times everyone had.
Just a few of our wonderful volunteers waiting for people to arrive after laying out and decorating the tables ready for the Christmas meal at Woodland lunch club.
Finally, we had two very special birthdays, with one person reaching 90 and a very special lady we know called Jean reaching her 100th day. Mark, Club Leader at Winston, surprised her with a birthday party, flowers, banners, balloons, and cake! And our Chef Tracey made a special birthday meal for her. She was thrilled.
Mr H enjoying his 90th birthday cake at his lunch club
We’re already zipping through the days to Valentine’s Day!
It’s that time of year when there’s no twinkly lights to cheer us up and the dark afternoons and weather haven’t lifted so far….so we hope these photos have brought some warmth to your week.
We’re hoping that Springtime arrives soon and then we can grumble about it being too dry…!