The day centre is a means of getting out. Everyone is so kind. I look forward to coming. The Quiz keeps my mind active. I feel being sociable is an important part of staying independent. This is exactly what I get from coming here.

I’ve always said that they’ll never get me into residential care.

Nina

The day centre has helped me a great deal. I wouldn’t be without it. I enjoyed coming since my husband passed away. I would be lost without help with shopping which they help me with.

I would never be able to do it otherwise. There is nothing at home that appeals to me. It would be a sorry day if I didn’t have them at this day centre- it would break my heart.

I wouldn’t want to go into a residential while I can stand on my own two feet.

Sheila

This day centre gives me a reason to get up. Otherwise I would deteriorate, it lifts my spirits, and I have a balanced meal. I would eat take away food otherwise. Before I came here I had stress and terrible grief, I didn’t take part at all. But now I take part in everything- I’m now in a routine, the activities really helped and made me feel part of the team- it made me do things I haven’t done for years.

I would give up if I had to go in a home. I love my life and hope I stay well for longer.

Ellen

I had a stroke and a heart operation. I need the exercises at the day centre for my health. The day centre helps me to stay in a routine, breathing, using my limbs and walking more. The day centre has been great especially as my health service have been stopped.

Bring back the swimming service at the BRI. Keep my day centre going so I can do my armchair exercises. I would hate to have to live in a home.

Olga

The council are in their offices and don’t think or see or have been through what we’ve been through, I have arthritis and have to go out and do exercises so I don’t seize up. I live on my own and feel better for interacting with other people and talking.

I would want to stay in my own flat.

Christina

Life would be dull without a chat or a laugh. I look forward to the meal - I couldn’t cook a meal for that price. It reduces risk of cooking at home. It is so good to have a chat with someone as I live on my own. The day centre will keep in touch if you need help.

I would like to hang on for as long as possible before needing residential care.

Betsie

I meet lots of friends at the day centre and I like coming. I have no favourite part- I like it all. I can’t imagine what it would be like not to get out. I would go out of my mind if I couldn’t go out. Even with my bad knee I am able to get out.

Panda

I was locked out and this day centre helped me get back in. They helped when I lost my keys and are there in an emergency. I can’t walk like I used to but the day centre bucks me up. While I wait for a new hip the transport is great for getting me to the shop. I’d go barmy if I was stuck at home. I’d end up in an institution if I couldn’t go out. I feel so much better for the activities- especially laughing!

I don’t see myself as old. I hope I never need residential.

Bron

The day centre takes me out of myself. I have somewhere to go that I can rely on. The day centre makes my life better because without it I am on my own. I suppose I should have to go in a home if it weren’t for the day centre. It’s the company which I wouldn’t have being at home alone. I can only manage the stairs and the step hill once a day but this day centre helps me with that.

Elsie

The day centre helps me with my banking, letters, correspondence and my health matters with the hospital. Without the help of the day centre I would rip this whole lot up. I feel happier visiting the day centre and I communicate much better. The staff are very good and you can ask them anything. When someone comes in, we all say hooray. I like the fun. It’s no fun being stuck at home all day. There’s a lot going on at the day centre. They do soft food - I am only able to eat soft food-liquidised.

I lived in a home once. I didn’t like it. There were too many rules and regulations. I didn’t like the warden, she got the sack. I have my freedom now and I am not tense any more.

Mavis

The day centre helped me a lot. I look forward to coming. If it wasn’t for the day centre I wouldn’t be able to do it for myself. I try to get out as much as possible which the day centre helps with transports. I wouldn’t see many people without the day centre. If I couldn’t go out, I would be climbing the walls and going around the bend.

I intend to stay out of a home as long as possible.

Katty

Yes mostly. The day centre is very important to me as it enables me to get out and talk to other people of my own age. We do different activities and I can always have a good healthy hot meal in the middle of the day. I hate to be institutionalised and I sometimes feel that is the way it is at my sheltered accommodation.

They need to spend more money on day centres and let people be properly looked after in their own homes. At our day centre there is no favouritism. I feel we need smaller sheltered care homes with fewer residents, so it all feels more personal and private.

Maria

Visiting the day centre gives me confidence in myself. At Emmanuel Court you could be waited on hand and foot. But at this day centre you feel like you have to get on with it. This has helped with my anxiety and nerves and the exercises help me with confidence in my walking. I wouldn’t see anyone if it wasn’t for the day centre. My blood pressure is much lower.

The longer I stay out of a home the better! - I want to live my life.

Joyce

I get a healthy meal; I get to meet different people. I like the day centre so it gives me something to do. It would make me bad if this day centre was gone, it would be awful not being able to go out.

Please don’t put me in a home. I hope they don’t put me in a home. I like my life the way it is and I want to keep living in my place.

Raymond

As long as I can manage, I will stay in our place. I wouldn’t like to leave my home. Thanks to the day centre I have met my friends. Iam unable to venture out without help from others. I am very grateful to the staff of TCS for being so helpful and patient as iam very slow. Not seeing friends or getting out would be awful and terrible long term. I think day centres are wonderful places.

Please spend money on maintaining independence. I would like to leave my home even though I am unable to go outside without help. Thank you.

Betty

I am very satisfied. The company is my favourite bit. The day centre helps me a great deal. If I wasn’t here I would be at home stuck in.

I would never wish to leave my own home. It is not easy getting out but I love being in my own home.

Ken

I really look forward to meeting and talking to people in the day centre. I love learning about Bristol and its history- I like the Red Cross visits because they give you a massage and this helps with my neck and shoulders- I get a very stiff neck and it relaxes it. I enjoy a meal being cooked instead of the meal I am supplied within sheltered housing. I especially enjoy mental stimulation and the quizzes really help me to think and use my brain. The gentle exercises also really help me stay mobile.

I don’t see myself needing residential help. As long as I get the help I need, I will be happy remaining in sheltered housing.

Olive

I look forward to my day at the day centre- where else would I go? It is very depressing and lonely not being with people. It is so nice having pleasant people looking after you. I never go any where else- this is the only place I go. Coming to the day centre helps to keep my mind active. I’m stuck in doors a lot. It is so handy having a half price chiropodist here too.

Pearl

Coming to a day centre helps me to maintain independence. Visits here are the happiest days off the week. Happiness helps me to feel better. Feeling better improves my health and makes me feel less depressed. The cheerful attitude of the volunteers is really helpful to me.

Residential care is a necessary evil but is necessary when we can’t cope on our own any longer.

Joan

The day centre has made a lot of difference to me. I really look forward to my visit to the day centre and sharing my worries. It really helps me to keep going. I am stuck at home with no family in Bristol at all. It means a lot to me - I don’t know what I would do without the day centre.

Joan

At the day centre I love the company- I feel happy because I love it. I love bingo it’s the best- it’s all about the winning. If there was no bingo I would still come because of the lovely company.

John

I ‘m happy when I am at the day centre but the problem is when I go home. I get very lonely on my own. There is no common room where I live. The laundry room is upstairs which I can’t mange. The day centre does my washing. Some days I am down in the dumps- we have a laugh at the day centre.

I won’t ever go in a home. I would die if I had to go back in a home; I went in a home for 2 weeks when my husband died. There was nothing going on and the people just sat in a chair with their heads down. The staff ordered me around. I would never go back.

Rose

When you get old the main thing is to be able to mix with other people- I especially appreciate talking to younger people as they keep you in touch with modern life. At the moment I am independent even though I have had a stroke. If it was not for the day centre I would be stuck in my one bedroom flat. I am much more content among company.

When you get old with no family you feel isolated- there’s no one here. I think it’s better to keep day centres open. It’s important to elderly people- I hope you will listen to us. I think they ought to put more money into homecare- people prefer to stay in their own homes.

Jutta

It’s only my eyes that are not very good- this is the main thing that is wrong with me. If my eyes were ok I could get around ok. If it wasn’t for my eyes I guess I would be one of the fittest here at the day centre. When you get to my age you don’t get so many highlights.

Frank

The day centre makes my day. It means I get a chance for a change and being indoors all the time. I used to go on trips but I can’t mange them anymore. Before I came here I went to a church but they didn’t do food. If the day centre closed I wouldn’t have any thing else – there isn’t anything round my way. There is no post office for me to get my money. I have a visitor that collects my money for me. If I didn’t come here I would be stuck at home watching telly, I’ve only had one bad meal since coming here - I don’t like burgers.

I am the type of person that if anything happens to me I want to live at home. Some of the homes are very nice, but I prefer my independence. I don’t want to be told I can do things.

Dennis

It is a good day out coming to the day centre, you get well looked after. You’ve got to get out of your home sometimes. It is a break from every day life. It does me well to have a change and helps stop the boredom.

I shouldn’t be very pleased If I needed residential care, I like being at home.

Fred

I gain a fresh outlook visiting the day centre, its wonderful sharing time with other elderly people, reminiscing about the past with other like minded people. Spending time with younger staff makes us move aware of modern life. It is a day I can put aside knowing I will be ok. I come because it refreshes me being with other people that are facing similar challenges. I asked for whisky but they wouldn’t let me. I like being with people of a high moral standing.

Francis

I don’t want residential care yet, but sometimes I wake up and feel miserable. The day centre alters my life completely- it is my lifeline. I appreciate the whole experience. Quizzes, music, talks, singing and friendship are my favourite parts. I should feel lost if I couldn’t go to the day centre. It has been my life saver on many occasions.

I’ am not ready yet to use residential care. I feel there are times when I get low, but then I remember I have all the care I need here.

Phyllis

It helps a lot coming to the day centre, it helps with my depression. The people are so kind and helps when people don’t say pull yourself together. It sounds dramatic but without the day centre I don’t think I would be here. The day centre saved my life. For me it is like a counselling session. I can talk to people and it’s very relaxed. Years ago people could talk to their neighbours but now everyone is so busy.

I wouldn’t go into a home. I would stay at home. I can’t eat the food there.

Sheila