A CLUB aimed at reducing social isolation among older people is to expand into other Colchester venues.

The Warm and Toasty Club was awarded almost £50,000 for its Memory Afternoons, which it already runs weekly from Greenstead Social Club and Enoch House sheltered housing complex.

There are also one-off events at Colchester Arts Centre.

Now the project for over-60s looks set to expand to be held for the next two years at Shrub End Community Centre, while another town centre venue is under discussion.

The money has come from the National Lottery Community Fund.

Memory Afternoons are befriending and conversation sessions for older people and include live entertainment.

They are invited to share positive memories of their lives and take part in activities which will help them feel less lonely and isolated and by doing so improve self-worth and confidence.

There are also plans to work with Essex Sound and Video Archive and Colchester Recalled to capture and record social history.

Last year Memory Afternoons were successful in The People’s Projects for the ITV Anglia East region, with the public voting for them to win £49,930.

That funding has helped the Warm and Toasty Club to hold its weekly memory afternoons in Greenstead.

Johnno Casson, who organises the Memory Afternoons, said: “We are so pleased this funding will allow us to take our memory afternoons to so many more new people in Colchester and the surrounding areas.

“Our team have worked really hard on delivering quality events every week that make a real difference to people’s lives and we are really proud our participants have responded so positively.

“The work we do is all about people, it’s about sharing, laughing and being cheeky and collectively having a great time together.

“Our groups are our friends and being with them is a real tonic, the like of which you just can’t get from your doctor.”

Mr Casson thanked supporters including Colchester Arts Centre and National Lottery players.

The Warm and Toasty Club is non-profit community group.