'Sometimes I feel lonely, but then I remember I'm coming here'

'VITAL' LUNCH CLUB FOR OVER-60S STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET

- By GEORGE PALMER-SOADY

MEMBERS of a lifeline service that tackles loneliness amongst the elderly fear for its future as it faces spiralling costs.

People who attend the over-60s luncheon club at the Colin Dyson Centre, in Eastwood, say they “couldn't live without” the vital service, which offers a warm meal and a place to socialise on four days each week.

But the independent charity behind the centre, which has been running since the 1980s, says it is struggling to stay afloat.

Staff at the Broxtowe Borough Council-owned building on Edward Road rely primarily on grants and donations from the local community.

But as the costs of operating the building and food continue to rise, the centre’s trustee, Josie Marsters, says these funds are not stretching far enough.

“It's worrying times and we don’t know what the future holds,” Ms Marsters told the Post. “No other group has the overheads we have because we're running our own centre. Gas and electric is getting more expensive and the price of food is enormous, even though we try and keep prices down as best we can.

“We've spent a lot of money on the centre over the years, but it always takes applying for grants, and that’s getting harder.”