Welcome to the David Cargill Day Care Centre.

It is that time of year again when I put pen to paper and inform you all of what has been going on here at the David Cargill Centre in the last year. First of all I would like to take this opportunity of thanking all the volunteers and staff who work very hard at all times to ensure everyone is looked after and catered for. Thanks also goes to all at Head Office for all their help and advice.

We are still providing a varied programme of activities for our clients throughout the week, including armchair exercises, music/general knowledge quizzes and of course the forever favourite bingo which must be played twice a week on Mondays and Fridays.

Over the year there has been the usual round of parties some of them themed. Our Halloween party was a great success as some of the staff and clients dressed up to celebrate this occasion. December was a busy month, we hosted the Conveners Christmas party, the Rainbow Club and the Vale Club and hope to see them this year. Our own christmas party was quieter this year as the ladies from Carnwadric/Kiloran club were not able to attend due to ill health, we very much hope to see them this year as they were greatly missed by our Service Users. Our Easter party kicked of with some of our ladies parading their easter bonnets that they had made at the DCC with prizes for the best dressed bonnet.

Of course we have many other activities to raise funds, we hold bring and buy sales, plant sales, guess the birthday of the bear to name but a few. In April we hosted a dinner for an organisation which leases our hall, this was very successful and raised a very tidy sum, again I would like to thank all who gave up their Saturday afternoon through until midnight to make this event a success, it's very much appreciated.

There will be an increase in numbers soon to the centre as an organisation called Fair Deal (an Adult Training Centre) will be coming along 2 days a week for lunch and to use the centre for their social and leisure programme which will include carpet bowls, darts, snooker and line dancing. We welcome them on board and look forward to seeing them.

It has not been easy to arrange day trips this summer due to lack of transport. This is due to cut backs with Social Work who used to provide a bus and driver 3 days a week, although some of our Service Users managed to attend the Christmas Concert at Paisley Abbey, some were also part of the audience at the BBC studios for Dale Winton's -" In It To Win It" Lottery. At the moment we are organising this year's outing to the Pantomime Cinderella at Rutherglen Town Hall Theatre.

Overall we have a friendly club with a happy atmosphere where you will receive a warm welcome, so if any of you young things out there want somewhere to go, we are ready and waiting to greet you.

Please come along and join us any time.

Claire Dick

Centre Manager