A lunch club is a friendly welcoming place where you can socialise with others and take part in activities, including:
- bingo
- chairobics
- arts and crafts
- seasonal trips
There will be a hot meal and refreshments for a small charge.
Lunch clubs are often independent and run by volunteers. They meet food hygiene standards and receive safeguarding training to help members feel safe and well cared for.
You can also volunteer at a lunch club and help to create a comfortable and safe environment. I f you're interested in volunteering please contact us.
Joining a lunch club
If you or someone you know is interested in joining a lunch club, the Lunch Club Referral Service can help to find you the nearest or most convenient club on a day which suits you. To contact the Lunch Club Referral Service, please email lunchclubs@sheffield.gov.uk or call 0114 273 4631 and leave a message.
If you require personal support or care, a lunch club might not be the right fit for you, though we would be happy to help you explore more suitable options.
After you contact us
When you've contacted us, the following will happen:
- We will contact you to check the information that you have provided.
- We'll identify the most appropriate club and contact the club organiser to check on the current availability. Please note that we are required to share your details with the organiser.
- If there are no places available, and no places on a waiting list, we'll let you know and then look for the next nearest club or suggest another social activity (such as a coffee morning).
- If there are places available, the organiser will contact you.
Transport
If you need help to get to a lunch club, transport arrangements can sometimes be made for you.
This is for members who are most isolated and would not be able to make it to the clubs using other means.
Volunteering
Every week, people in Sheffield give their time to support others, and lunch clubs are a great way to get involved.
Whether you're a keen cook, enjoy chatting with people or simply want to lend a helping hand, there’s a role for you in a local lunch club.
Volunteering at a lunch club not only supports older people in your community, it’s also a chance to:
- boost your own wellbeing
- develop new skills
- gain valuable experience
- enjoy a fun, fulfilling way to give back
Volunteers have fed back that their time at the lunch clubs is deeply rewarding, with one saying "we have been life savers”. Another, who was 80 and recently widowed, thanked the experience for "giving her her life back."
Please get in touch with us if you want to get involved.
Other activities, organisations, information and services
Sheffield Directory has useful links to voluntary and community sector support during this time, including information on befriending services, help with shopping and practical support.
You can also sign up to news alerts from us about wider council activity and advice for people living in Sheffield.