The Parchmore Methodist Church and Community Centre has been at the heart of the Thornton Heath community for 50 years providing a home from home where residents can socialise.

Beginning with a youth centre and progressing to coffee mornings and lunch clubs for residents, the Parchmore Community Centre provides a friendly and supportive environment.

The community centre is part of the Social Prescribing programme initiated by the Parchmore Medical Centre which includes St Paul’s Church and AgeUK Brigstock Road.

Parchmore aims to promote independence amongst older people and provide opportunities for meeting up with others and making friends.

The centre’s  ‘pop in’ lunch club offers a place to meet, socialise and enjoy a hot meal prepared on the premises, as well as participate in various activities such as bingo, dominoes and crafts.

The club is open Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 2pm and  the centre’s minibus collects residents in Thornton Heath who  can’t get to 53 Parchmore Road by themselves.

In the community hall on Monday and Friday mornings at 10.30am there is a seated exercise class which assists in keeping people active.

On Tuesday at 10.30am there is a relaxation and breathing class, and on Thursday morning a Tai Chi class. These classes all cost £3 and are taught by qualified instructors.

On alternate Mondays a group of older people are taken on a shopping trip to a local supermarket.  Volunteers assist with shopping and everyone enjoys a cup of tea in the cafe before being taken home. There is also a knitting club each month on the first Monday afternoon.

During the summer months coach trips to the seaside are organised, an annual week long holiday is on offer and the London Christmas lights trip includes a fish and chip meal!

New ventures include a weekly shared reader session on Thursday mornings at 11am and a community indoor golf club will soon be available in the upstairs hall which is accessible by lift.

For more information call Jenny Harms on: 0208 653 7353