Our Club offers seniors a place to belong
For many older adults living alone after divorce, bereavement, or separation, Our Club is offering something invaluable – friendship, companionship, and a place to belong.
Growing older can sometimes mean facing life’s biggest changes alone.
Whether through the loss of a spouse, divorce, or separation, many seniors find themselves searching for companionship and connection. For members of Our Club, that search often ends with a warm welcome.
Aimed at people in their early 60s and older, this Northcliff based, long-established, friendship club offers a safe, supportive space where seniors can build lasting friendships through regular social activities.
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Recently appointed chairperson Maarten Visser said the club is looking to welcome new members after its numbers declined during the Covid-19 pandemic. “We’re not a dating club. We’re a friendship club. It’s a safe environment where people make new contacts and build new friendships.”
Visser joined after being invited to a Sunday lunch and was immediately struck by the warmth of the members. “I met charming people who had lived interesting lives and built successful careers. There’s real camaraderie here. You’re never alone.”
The club hosts weekly Sunday lunches, braais, canasta games, horse racing outings, and a variety of other social events throughout the year.
Recognising that walking into a room of strangers can feel daunting, committee members make a special effort to welcome newcomers, particularly those who have recently been widowed, divorced, or are naturally shy. “We sit with them, introduce them to others, and help them feel comfortable.”
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For him, friendship is the heart of everything the club does. “The hugs I get in this club are warm. You feel important in other people’s lives, and you cannot buy that.”
As Our Club looks to rebuild its membership, Visser hopes more seniors will discover that sometimes the greatest gift isn’t finding romance; it’s finding people who make you feel like you belong.
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