Tuesday 5th of January 2010
A woman suffering from depression has revealed how bingo helped her take the first step towards a new life.
Jill Gemmell, 67, is a committee member at the Alvaston and Boulton Old People's Welfare Club in Derby, reports the Derby Evening Telegraph.
But seven years ago, she was struggling to cope with depression - until she stumbled upon a bingo game at the club.
"I was very down and rarely left the house," she recalled.
"Then a friend of mine took me along to one of the bingo sessions and I loved it. I joined in more and more and, when one of the committee members resigned, I offered to step in."
More than 100 members currently enjoy activities at the club, including bingo games on Tuesdays and Thursdays, coffee mornings on Wednesdays and whist sessions on Saturdays.
They range from those in their early 60s to the oldest member who is 95 years old.
Ranjit Banwait, Boulton ward councillor, said that groups like this one improve the quality of life for many senior citizens.
And he explained that this is because they encourage people to go out, make new friends and take part in fun activities like bingo.
Last year, bingo fans led the protests against the proposed closure of a similar group in Middlesbrough.
Dozens of residents took to the streets to complain about a plan to close the Whinney Banks Youth and Community Centre before work had begun on its replacement.
Among them was Cath Lockwood, 73, who enjoyed twice-weekly bingo sessions at the centre.
She said it was "very sad" that the bingo games could stop if the centre closed down.
