New Projects

New Projects

Rural Community Services have just increased the number of OPAL services we run for older people by being awarded funding from Brightlife to launch ‘New Horizons’ and ‘What’s Cooking’; two volunteer-led schemes launching in Spring 2017 to help reduce social isolation in the Frodsham and Helsby areas of Cheshire West.

New Horizons

New Horizons supports older people living in and around Frodsham who’d like to get out more to socialise with others. The aim is to help them rekindle hobbies they used to enjoy whilst also developing some new interests locally. New Horizons launches in Spring 2017.

What’s Cooking

What’s Cooking is a Community Club with cooking at its heart which offers people of all ages the opportunity to enjoy and experiment with all aspects of cooking; from learning new techniques and sharing traditional favourites to exploring recipes from across the world. Many older people lose the opportunity to cook and this new club intends to help reignite an interest in cooking and refresh their skills whilst enjoying friendly company and having fun. A full and varied programme of activities will include food preparation, demonstrations, guest speakers, food and recipe sharing as well as providing social opportunities for club members to eat out or in each other’s homes. What’s Cooking launches in Spring 2017.

Brightlife is a partnership led by Age UK Cheshire (Registered Charity Number 1091608). It has been awarded £5m as part of the Big Lottery’s Fulfilling Lives, Ageing Better fund, which has given a total of £82m to 14 areas throughout England in order to improve the lives of up to 200,000 older people.  Over the next five years, Brightlife aims to work closely with older people to identify, design and implement a wide range of innovative solutions to address loneliness and isolation across Cheshire West and Chester.

 


2016 Grand Christmas Draw

Visit the OPAL Lottery page to see the winners of this year’s Grand Christmas Draw.


RCS Lottery

 

November 2016
Draw Winners
 1st – £125 – No 427 – Sophia Whittle-Jones
2nd – £80 – No 317 – Mary Brown
3rd – £40 – No 116 – Marjorie Langley

 


Volunteers’ Newsletter

Read the latest Volunteers’ Newsletter issued September 2016 – opal-newsletter-september-2016 .


Volunteers’ Day

Around 70 volunteers, trustees and staff enjoyed a special Volunteers’ Day on September 28th at Cheshire View, Christleton. There were 3 workshops, lunch and refreshments through the day, and of course lots of conversation and networking.  

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Tarporley OPAL Club

On Friday 30 September, magic will be happening at Tarporley OPAL Club when we will be visited by magician, Pete Turner.

And on 14 October, Tarporley members will also be raising the roof with a sing-along with Ken Walker.

 


Frodsham OPAL Club

Frodsham OPAL Club are hosting a coffee morning on 29 September at the Parish Hall, Frodsham. Please come and join us.

We will also be celebrating the 104th Birthday of one of our Frodsham Members!

 


Volunteer Training events 2016

On 28th September, we have organised a special day for all our volunteers. It will be held at Cheshire View, Plough Lane, Christleton, and will include information, workshops and of course lunch. We hope that as many as possible of our volunteers will be able to attend and that we will all learn a lot whilst also having fun.

Later in the year we also aim to hold first aid training events for all our volunteers who need to renew their first aid training or would like to learn new skills, and we are looking into providing a programme of training based on the needs of our volunteers.

 


Kelsall OPAL Club

DSC_0269In September, members will be taking to the water in Kelsall OPAL Club’s annual canal boat trip.


Malpas OPAL Club

Malpas members will be enjoying the music of Malpas Singers in September. This is a regular monthly event.