Millman Street Community Centre

Millman Street Community Centre is a resource centre for the elderly. The centre liberates them from their home as for many it's the only outing they have. Here they find companionship with other pensioners. The disabled are transported to the centre by bus. They can look forward to a home cooked meal.

I am a prisoner in my flat as I have to walk with a walking aid. I cannot go out unless someone takes me in a wheel-chair. But Sue, the manageress of the centre, came to my rescue and arranged transport for me three days a week.

Sue wears many hats - one being as an accountant to keep the centre’s finances viable. She acts as nurse in cases of medical emergency. She is a filler-in-of-complicated-forms that are like Greek to the centre participants. These forms can be for access to benefits or housing, or any other government service. She acts as a sympathetic listening ear to anything that troubles her charges. She is a bolster-upper of everyone she comes in contact with. Sue has a good crew to help with the day to day running of the centre. To mention two - there's Pat and Rose (the centre’s cook). They are both gems!

Helen of Bedford House, who works in close contact with Millman Street Centre, organizes some of the activities that go on. She arranged for a teacher of oriental dancing. It's not only good exercise but transports you with its graceful movements and haunting music to the magical lands of the East. I have always liked singing and we have formed a little choir. Under the direction of Nath, we are guided through songs – classical and modern as well as African and Latin. It exercises the lungs and relaxes your whole body and gives you the feeling of being uplifted.

There are computers available for all who use the centre. Veronica supports those who want to be computer literate. I personally hope to learn genealogy, emails, blogging and delve more and more into the internet. It exercises the brain and helps your concentration as well as transporting you into a wonderful world of information.

I'm a duffer when it comes to painting and sewing but I did join in the craft class with much trepidation. Low and behold - I found that I was not so dim after all!

I look forward to my visits to Millman Street Centre. The fellow participants are all so agreeable and we talk and laugh a lot. The time spent at the centre is all too fleeting and it's soon time to go home. How I wish I had more time there and I so look forward to my next visit!

Peggy