The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Joy as ‘nightclub for the retired’ reopens
Social isolation caused by the pandemic has been one of the greatest threats to mental health over the past year, and no community has been harder hit than the older generation.
Operating since 1947, Dundee Age Concern (DAC) is back open for business after a year of closure, welcoming clients back into its Caird Avenue day centre.
The centre has not escaped the effects of the last year, having to close when the country went into lockdown last March.
However, the relaxation of the government Covid-19 rules has meant that the centre was finally able to reopen last week, much to the delight of clients.
Manager Ian Watters said: “We want to give our clients somewhere they can get busy living life.
“We don’t want it to be biscuit tin, prescriptive stuff.
“We’re about fun. I describe it as a nightclub for the retired that’s open during the day.”
DAC offers activities including games, entertainment, dancing and most importantly, the opportunity to socialise.
Group member Margaret Grahame said: “It’s great the centre is back open. Everybody is so friendly. I’m just so glad to get out and be able to meet everyone again.
“I’m a chatterbox so it’s really good for me to get the company.
“I can’t praise it enough,” she added. “It’s just marvellous.”
Despite the pandemic throwing a spanner into the charity’s operations, the staff have remained committed to providing the best possible support to clients throughout the past year.
Mr Watters said: “During it all, we’ve tried really hard to maintain digital contact with our clients, whether that be through Facebook or phone calls.
“When the restrictions lifted a little, we would meet our clients for a coffee or a walk and help them with their shopping.
“It was all about figuring out the art of the possible and the ways in which we could still help them.
“For a lot of clients it was great just to talk to somebody; they knew they hadn’t been forgotten about and someone was thinking of them.
“We sent out wellbeing packages with biscuits and teabags and puzzles.
“We set up telephone quizzes, which were really popular.
“But, it doesn’t compare with getting them into the centre and being able to really engage with them. The staff are just as excited as the clients to get back to normal.”