Cash secure but lifeline charity Teesdale Day Clubs needs more leaders

A CLUB aimed at tackling social isolation among older people in Teesdale is financially secure for at least the next three years.

Teesdale Day Clubs, which has been providing weekly lunches in villages across the dale for the past 15 years, enjoyed another successful year earning County Durham’s highest honour for its work.
In giving his report during the annual meeting, chairman Dr Peter Wood, said it was a significant achievement to be awarded Durham County Council’s Chairman’s Medal for services to the community.
He added that an award was also received from Teesdale Action Partnership.
Dr Wood warned that the association relies heavily on a Lottery grant for its financial security but it is unlikely this will be renewed.
Dr Wood said: “Budgets show that we are financially viable until about mid-2020.
“While this may seem a long way in the future, the time will pass very quickly and it is reasonable to expect thatobtaining funding will become increasingly difficult over the next few years. It is highly unlikely that we will be eligible for a further extension to the Big Lottery grant which is currently our main source of income.”
A further worry was a lack of people willing to join the association’s board, he said.
To help this, the annual meeting confirmed a change to its constitution to allow office bearers to be re-elected to their post indefinitely. In the past people could only hold office for three consecutive years.
The change allowed Dr Wood and others to retain their positions.
He said: “Under the current constitution this year would be my last as chairman, at least for another year, but there are currently no others willing to take on this role.
“This does identify a problem of sustainability for the organisation in that our officer trustees are getting older and there are no younger people becoming involved and willing to take an active roll in the management of the association.”
He paid tribute to the current trustees for their work and described them as “stalwarts”.
Dr Wood praised office staff and many volunteers who help out with the lunches, saying: “Thanks to all of you for your continued support and commitment to delivering our services and for making our organisation a success.”