A hall in the heart of an Inverness neighbourhood has reopened its doors to offer a warm space for residents to meet, have a chat and enjoy a cuppa.
The New Beginnings project, based in Merkinch Hall, Simpsons Lane, is providing drop-in sessions for people to connect and combat loneliness.
It is an offshoot of Rokzkool Academy, a Highland charity whose mission started out as helping people develop confidence, friendships and skills through music.
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Run by Rod Shannon and Kay Ewen, Rokzkool was previously based in Merkinch Hall until moving to its new space in the city’s Eastgate Shopping Centre.
But it was felt the hall provided an ideal opportunity to continue the work of the charity which has expanded over the years including the provision of thousands of lifeline food and emergency packs during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inverness Provost Glynis Campbell Sinclair visits the New Beginnings project. Also pictured are Maureen Tait, Liz Sutherland, Betty Mackenzie and Joan O’Rielly. Picture: Callum Mackay.
Tesco Community Champion Liz Sutherland is running Friday and Saturday drop-in sessions as a volunteer while on Tuesdays she is helping to run a craft club.
“Kay and Rod have got new premises which is fantastic,” Mrs Sutherland said.
“The new studio is great but not really geared up towards some of the older people who came along to the hall.
“We didn’t want to lose them. We wanted to keep things going at Merkinch Hall.”
A warm space for seniors to go to get a cuppa and make new friends. Picture: Callum Mackay.
She said the premises were ideal for people to get together in a friendly environment.
“It isn’t a big hall,” she said. “It’s warm and it’s cosy.”
Monthly prize bingo sessions have proved popular while while other planned activities include outings, lunch clubs and barbecues.
A walled garden is located at the back of the hall and there are also hopes of starting a garden club in the springtime.
“We hope to get more volunteers to be able to do more things,” Mrs Sutherland said.
Inverness Provost Glynis Campbell Sinclair (centre) offically reopens Merkinch Hall. Picture: Callum Mackay.Tasty treats at the reopening of Merkinch Hall. Picture: Callum Mackay.
The sessions at Merkinch Hall resume from January 10.
On Friday and Saturday, people are welcome to drop in between 10.30am and 3.30pm.
The Tuesday craft club is between 10.30am and 2.30pm.