A NEW club aiming to improve the quality of life for over 55s has launched in Breighmet.

Age Well has been set up to help reduce loneliness and isolation, create new friendships, as well as encouraging older people to share their wealth of experience.

Two activities are planned to bring people together and will both be held at St James' Church Parish Centre, in Roscow Avenue.

They will be run by volunteers who are supported by a project co-ordinator.

The weekly Age Well Wednesday runs from 2pm to 4pm and is for socialising and organised activities with refreshments.

Activities include knit and natter, will making, gardening and there will be occasional guest speakers.

And the first session was held last week, with 10 people attending, including Breightmet councillors Debbie Newall and John Byrne.

On the third Monday of each month, Age Well will also host a Drop-in for Afternoon Tea event between 2.30pm and 4.30pm, starting on Monday, October 15.

The project's co-ordinator Jan Bakewell said: "The launch went really well. People were really happy and it was nice to see friendships being built up so people can support one another.

"I hope more people come down as people get to know about the project.

"I am a counsellor and I know that old people do not access help for mental health issues, so we needed to find another way of supporting them with their mental health issues and wellbeing."

For more information contact project co-ordinator Jan Bakewell on 07530 119 496 or email her at jan.bakewell@live.com.