Support Elizabeth House this Christmas
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Most of us probably walk or drive past Elizabeth House on Station Road in Cookham every day, but do you actually know what goes on there? You mums may have elderly parents and might not know about this amazing place, or you may be interested in volunteering there as they are open during school hours... and you'll probably want to support their Charistmas fayre at Moor Hall which they're gearing up for next weekend. I spoke to manager Miriam Blazey about the place!
Who is Elizabeth House for and what do you do?
Elizabeth House is a day centre for the over-60s serving Cookham and Maidenhead areas, although we are happy to take members from Buckinghamshire too! We are open five days a week, except bank holidays, from 10am to 3pm.
What does the club for over-60s offer?
Members can book a hot two-course lunch for £4, have tea and coffee for 50p, use a discounted chiropodist and hairdresser, and have the use of a walk-in shower with a carer or family member. We offer talks, activities, quizzes, a theatre club, singing to piano, communion services, choir and computer lessons ( £3). On Friday mornings, we have a seated exercise class – this is great fun and causes gales of laughter! Some just come for a chat and no one has to join in if they don’t want to – there is always some 'people-watching'!
Who is welcome?
Anyone over the age of 60 who lives in Cookham, Maidenhead or surrounding villages. People become members for £21 a year to have use of the discounted facilities. However, we cannot accept anyone with severe dementia or aggression as we do not have dementia-trained volunteers or staff, but we rent our premises on a Thursday afternoon to a club called Rendezvous, which is an outreach club for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia and their carers for company and support.
Do you also have art exhibitions and other events? Tell me more...
Our dining room doubles up as a gallery for local artists and is so popular it is booked until June next year! The paintings can be sold and Elizabeth House benefits from a commission for each sale. The members enjoy looking at the paintings and generally have an opinion on them!
Is it correct you can hire the venue – what is it suitable for?
The venue is hired by a number of people – we have a regular acupuncture drop-in on Monday evening as well as Rendezvous on Thursday, but we are also used for Bridge, therapies, counselling sessions, yoga weekends, teaching and meetings. We charge £6 an hour.
Are you in need of volunteers, and for what?
Always! We have a fantastic number of volunteers who drive for us, help in the kitchen with vegetable and dish preparation, the all-important washing-up and making teas and coffees. We have a volunteer who does our baskets and tubs, but it would be great to have one or two more to sweep leaves or be on hand to sweep the carpark of snow! We would like some more cleaners, anyone with a skill or just someone who is happy to come in and do craft, sit and chat, read to members or share a skill. We need more people to be involved with our fundraising – we need about £70,000 a year to offer our members what they deserve.
Tell us about your Christmas Fair...
This is one of our biggest fundraisers and is held in Moor Hall. It is so popular we start getting requests for stall holders in September! We will have children singing, bell ringers and a keyboard player, lots of wonderful stalls and a great atmosphere. The fayre starts at 11am and finishes at 3pm.
Elizabeth House Day Centre, Cookham, 01628 527621
Hours of duty – Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9am-3.30pm
http://www.elizabethhousecookham.org/