A QUEENSBURY centre that supports the elderly in the community is celebrating its 25th year.

The centre opened in the late 1990s and the service has been used by the over 60s since then, including local resident Marjorie Thomas who has attended the centre since the beginning.

"They love coming and there are so many benefits for people," said Margaret Rozzee, who works at the Queensbury Support Centre. "A lot of people have explained how coming to the centre keeps them going."

"We do all sorts of activities, including taking them for days out.

"We serve breakfast and lunch and play games such as cards and bingo. We even help them with exercises like chair aerobics.

"We also have singers and other kinds of entertainment."

The support centre is based at the Queensbury Baptist Church, on Chapel Street, and is open from 10am to 3pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

"Some people just like to come and talk," said Margaret, who added the centre is getting back to normal after it had to shut for the first lockdown in March 2020.

She said staff were put on furlough but eventually the centre re-opened to the public in September 2021.

"People are really glad to be back," said Margaret. "They've really missed the company."

The centre, which has four paid staff, is also appreciative and reliant on the support of 18 volunteers.

The centre serves many people in the community but Margaret said more are welcome.

She said: "We want to encourage more people to use the centre."

But judging from comments by service users, people have been more than happy over its 25-year history.

One local resident said: "I enjoy coming to the centre for the joy of making friends.

"I look forward to the good company, the help and the excellent atmosphere they create," said another.

Another added: "I come to the centre because of the company, good food and games. I look forward to going two days a week."

But others also spoke about how much the centre helps to combat loneliness.

One said: "The company is good and you can laugh and talk. It's better than looking at the walls."

Another added: "Until I came to centre, life wasn't good."

A fundraising concert for the centre by the Rock Choir is being held at 7pm on Saturday, March 12, at the Victoria Hall in Queensbury.

Tickets cost £5 and available by ringing the centre on 01274 817143.