A BUSINESS dedicated to caring for the elderly has received a boost after new volunteers stepped forward.

Flackwell Heath and Loudwater Age Concern had concerns that they would possibly have to close if new faces had not joined.

However, a meeting held last week saw four new members agree to join the committee and four others agree to other voluntary roles, including driving.

Age Concern chairman, Barrie Walmsley, said: “It (the meeting) was very successful.”

He added: “We were concerned about the future of the day centre and I think it went as well as it could have.”

The Age Concern Day Centre is the venue for a mix of elderly people from the community to meet throughout the week.

The local business uses a mini bus - which they received funding for from the Gannett foundation – to pick some residents up and drop them off.

Once they have been picked up they normally have a mental activity like a quiz, followed by a hot dinner, a game of bingo and some tea and cake before they return in the afternoon.

Mr Walmsley, who has worked as the group’s treasurer for the last 20 years, said: “We needed some younger newer blood to take it forward.

“What we have got in is four new people on the committee all about 20 years younger than our current committee.

“They are all under 60 and are very enthusiastic; we are all pleased with the additions.”

Mr Walmsley will stay on as chairman and treasurer until the end of May, and will continue to be a volunteer whilst new members settle in.

He added: “We needed more of an active committee if nobody had come forward we would have had to modify the operation of the day centre which could have even meant closure.”

For more information about the centre or to receive the service they currently offer. Please call Jacky Retallack-Hall on 01628 526113.