Bradford Citadel club provides friendship and table tennis

A weekly club hosted by Bradford Citadel Salvation Army which offers a range of games and activities is helping tackle loneliness and isolation in the community - and even inspired a 90-year-old to try out table tennis.  

The Salvation Army’s Church and Community Centre in Holroyd Hill, Wibsey, runs the The Good Company Club each Monday between 10.30am and 2pm. Anyone is welcome to come for cuppa and chat, free light lunch, play board games, take part in a quiz or do something more active like table football, pool or table tennis. 

Managed by volunteers, the popular free club runs throughout the year, and during the winter months operates as a warm space.

Tony Goodwin, Treasurer at The Salvation Army’s Bradford Citadel and volunteer at the group, said: “It’s a welcoming space to share company with other, enjoy board and word games, pool, table football, air hocky and more. Each week I host a quiz, which can turn out to be hilarious especially if things go wrong!

“People can play games or they can just sit and read the newspaper, whatever they want to do. It’s a space for them to take advantage of and just relax. 

“I think people come because of the company, they want to just be with others, especially elderly people who may be living alone. Loneliness is horrible thing and we hope this helps alleviate that feeling for people. 

“I try and get round to speak to everyone if I can, even if it’s just a brief word to encourage them. Most weeks we volunteers go away thinking ‘that was a great day and well worth doing’. We feel encouraged. I enjoy chatting to people and playing games, I’m getting the positive benefits as well as others.” 

People get tea, coffee, biscuits and a light lunch like soup, sandwiches and cake. The club is free but people can donate with most choosing to do so if they can afford to. The money raised is then put into buying new equipment. 

One group who were playing dominoes together said they had made friends through coming to The Good Company Club. 

Margaret, 86, who comes with her sister Jo, 90, said: “We come every Monday. We didn’t know anyone, but we have made friendships which have grown out of coming here. The atmosphere is really good, it’s friendly and they make you welcome right from the start. 

“You are getting out and about, out of the house, which is important at our age or you can end up sitting that long that you don’t want to move or get out anymore. 

“Jo likes playing table tennis which is great exercise as she spends more time bending down to pick the ball up off the floor!” 

Jo added: “I come here for lots of reasons, company, lovely atmosphere, the lunch and all for a donation. The only exercise I get is table tennis now!” 

Another visitor, Penny said: “There’s a variety of things to do. We choose to do dominoes and banagrams, spelling and word games. There’s jigsaws, table tennis, a quiz – so much going on. There are lovely volunteers, everybody is very pleasant. It’s a joy to come.” 

Bradford Citadel also runs a coffee shop four times a week, a food bank, fun and fellowship Christian meeting, Sunday worship and services for children and families as well as helps people with form filling and signposting.

Find more information on Bradford Citadel here, phone 01274 677 591 or search for them on Facebook.