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, and seasonal trips. You can also volunteer in a comfortable, safe environment. 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.
If you're interested in getting involved as a volunteer, we'd love to hear from you!
Joining a Lunch Club
If you or someone you know is interested in joining a Lunch Club, we can help. You can email us at lunchclubs@sheffield.gov.uk or ring us on (0114) 273 4631 and leave a message.
We can find the nearest or most convenient club on a day which suits you. Typically, they provide a hot meal with activities, refreshments, and the chance to chat to people of a similar age.
Clubs have volunteers trained in Food Hygiene and Safeguarding, so you will be in safe hands. All Lunch Club members are independent and do not need any personal support or personal care - these clubs offer a warm welcome and space to meet up or catch up with old friends and connect with new ones. 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.
What will happen:
- After you apply, we will contact the person referred to check the information given and have a chat.
- We then identify the most appropriate club and contact the club organiser to check on the current availability. We share details of the person who would like to attend with the organiser.
- If there are no places available, and no places on a waiting list, we ask the organiser to let us know and we contact the person referred. We would then look for the next nearest club or suggest another social activity (e.g. a coffee morning).
- If there is a place available, we will ask the organiser to contact the person to chat about the lunch club and the space available.
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, and 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 volunteer, who was 80 and recently widowed, thanked the experience for "giving her her life back."
If you would like to get involved, you can email us at lunchclubs@sheffield.gov.uk or ring us on (0114) 273 4631 and leave a message.
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.
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.