Moray Monday Club needs help if it is to reopen
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A registered charity which helps people with dementia and Alzheimers is appealing for people to join its committee so it can open again.
The Monday Club has lost its main office bearers during the enforced closure caused by the pandemic.
Pam Ross the chairperson, and treasurer Chris Sinclair both sadly died, while Barbara Steel resigned as secretary due to ill health.
The club is a lifeline in Moray to those of any age suffering from Alzheimers and dementia as well as to their carers.
Before the pandemic there were 60 people who regularly attended the weekly afternoon meetings for afternoon tea, chat, quizzes and music in the Williamson Hall, Elgin.
A spokesperson for the Monday Club said: "It has been a big miss, because the activities carried out each week made a big difference to their lives.
"Volunteers too found that their lives too were enriched and rewarded in many ways.
"In order to re-start The Moray Monday Club, the depleted committee is in urgent need of helpers, in particular someone who has experience of chairing such a club, a secretary and a treasurer."
The Monday Club's origins date back to 1986.
That was the year when the Elgin Branch of Alzheimer Scotland was formed chaired by Rev John Stuart, then Church of Scotland Minister at Hopeman, together with his wife Elma.
In 1988 an offer of accommodation by Bishopmill House prompted the formation of the Monday Club with a weekly meeting for refreshments, quizzes and entertainment by a variety of talented local groups.
The club later moved to Anderson’s Home, then Elgin Town Hall and, finally, to the Williamson Hall as venues closed or became too small for a growing membership.
As time passed, activities increased.
In 1990, the then chairperson, Barbara Steele, introduced annual holiday breaks when she, with support of a volunteer, hired a minibus to take a few of the members on a short break.
Initially this was to an Alzheimer Scotland retreat in Cramond.
When that closed an alternative was found in Stonehaven.
Cramond had been full board but the local Trust cottage in Stonehaven was room only.
However, apart from arguments on the correct recipe for ‘mince and mealie’ this worked just as well.
As time passed, membership continued to grow as did the variety of activities.
These eventually included Burn’s Suppers, monthly minibus outings in Summer, ‘fine dining’ events at the Moray College ‘Beechtree Restaurant’, Christmas lunches and group visits to performances in the town hall.
In addition, an attempt was made to mark the birthday and anniversary events of the members with suitable club cards.
Over time the minibus breaks were replaced by twice-annual coach holidays, and these with all the other activities went from strength to strength.
Over the 30-odd years the club has had only three chairpersons: Elma Stuart, Barbara Steele and Pam Ross, all of whom contributed a wealth of effort and commitment.
The spokesperson said: "Probably the greatest strength of the club was its volunteers.
"Many, such as Barbara and Pam, joined as carers and continued as volunteers.
"It meant that anyone joining the club immediately found, quite apart from the entertainment, a wealth of experience, advice and knowledgeable support from people who ‘had been there’."
Anyone interested in joining to help revive this vital support group, should contact alistair.whitfield@hnmedia.co.uk
