About | Lewes House of Friendship

Our Team
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Sophie, Lucy & Rachel

The Kitchen Team

Jenni

Administrator

It was many years ago that I started volunteering because I had some free time and wanted to be involved with this worthwhile charity. I became a paid member of staff last year and I’m loving it!

Volunteers
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Gill F

I joined post COVID when the house was getting up and running again after the lockdown. My mother-in-law Herta was a member and trying the meals at the time and there had been a call for volunteers in a newsletter. Before COVID hit I had tried other volunteering roles but they didn’t suit me, I thought this one would, so I came along. I like that it is a small friendly team and it’s good to feel we make a difference to the lives of the people who come in, it feels a worthwhile role.

Janet

I got in touch with the LHOF last year, as I live quite close and I was looking for something to fill my time as my husband had died, and I felt rather alone – even with family fairly near me. Now I really enjoy welcoming people, getting to know them and serving them a nice cup of tea or coffee!

Glenda P

My mother, 95 at the time, had meals delivered by the LHoF during lockdown. As a family we really appreciated knowing that Mum was getting a good meal. Following lockdown, I decided to volunteer and give something back. I still enjoy meeting the people who come in for coffee and lunch.

Julia C

I do like coming to volunteer as I feel part of a large family. After lockdown I felt as though I wanted to help in Lewes somehow and visited a LHOF open day and that was how it all started.

Jean V

I came to an Open Morning at the LHOF when I’d just moved to Lewes after losing my dear husband, and knew very few people here. They were looking for volunteers at the House, so when someone heard me say that I used to manage hotels with my husband, they asked me if I’d like to volunteer in Reception- and that was it! I soon got to know a few faces and now enjoy welcoming all the people who come in every week, many of whom have become good friends.

Sue W

When I viewed the building some years ago, with the intention of hiring some rooms, it felt as though I was given a big hug! The atmosphere was so lovely and friendly. I learned that volunteers were needed and offered my services. It is still a place I like coming into each Friday, able to watch members and visitors relax and chat, enjoying themselves.

Jane L

Before Covid, I was a volunteer in a residential care home for the elderly when a friend, a volunteer at Lewes HoF, mentioned that they were looking for volunteers. So I came along and met other volunteers, members and visitors who made me very welcome. I have been a volunteer at the House for a few years now and so enjoy the friendly atmosphere and listening to the stories and memories of the members and visitors.

Rosie, Dick and Su

We (Rosie and Su) started the gardening club in June 2023, the following year the garden was redesigned which meant we had lots of planting to do. We love gardening and wanted to encourage members who might have moved from a larger family home into smaller accommodation without a garden, or those who would like to meet other people who all enjoy being outside with their hands in the soil.

We meet most (not all) Wednesdays between July to September from 1.15 pm and we’re in the HOF garden for an hour or so. We would love to see you if you’d like to join us!

"Making the most of later life"

"It’s a great asset to have in Lewes."

Our History
—

In the late 1950s Mr Richards, an ESCC Welfare Officer had the idea of opening a place for the older community because there was nowhere that was open every day. He wanted to create a place where people could drop in for companionship which would be run by volunteers.

It took 11 years to find a suitable site. Sadly by this time, Mr Richards had died so his widow, Mrs Richards took charge and bought 208 High Street in 1969 with money raised by events, a shop selling various goods, gifts and a grant from Lewes Town Council.

The community got together to help paint and furnish the building. Local scouts and pupils from Ringmer School cleaned, painted and cleared the garden using donations from the community.

The House of Friendship which was the local branch of Age Concern had 300 members six months after opening. Light refreshments and hot drinks were served and there were plans for whist drives and painting classes.

In 2012 the name changed to Lewes House of Friendship and was affiliated to Age UK.

Today our ethos is still the same and we are funded by members’ fees, rental from the flats at the top of the building and room hire. This income helps to subsidise the lunches that we serve in order to provide low cost freshly cooked meals.

Our Team
—

Volunteers
—

"Making the most of later life"

"It’s a great asset to have in Lewes."

Our History
—

In the late 1950s Mr Richards, an ESCC Welfare Officer had the idea of opening a place for the older community because there was nowhere that was open every day. He wanted to create a place where people could drop in for companionship which would be run by volunteers.

It took 11 years to find a suitable site. Sadly by this time, Mr Richards had died so his widow, Mrs Richards took charge and bought 208 High Street in 1969 with money raised by events, a shop selling various goods, gifts and a grant from Lewes Town Council.

The community got together to help paint and furnish the building. Local scouts and pupils from Ringmer School cleaned, painted and cleared the garden using donations from the community.

The House of Friendship which was the local branch of Age Concern had 300 members six months after opening. Light refreshments and hot drinks were served and there were plans for whist drives and painting classes.

In 2012 the name changed to Lewes House of Friendship and was affiliated to Age UK.

Today our ethos is still the same and we are funded by members’ fees, rental from the flats at the top of the building and room hire. This income helps to subsidise the lunches that we serve in order to provide low cost freshly cooked meals.

We are still run by volunteers who work in Reception, deliver lunches and sit on the Executive Committee but we also have five paid members of staff.

See more
—

Our Team—

Volunteers—

"Making the most of later life"

"It’s a great asset to have in Lewes."

Our History—

In the late 1950s Mr Richards, an ESCC Welfare Officer had the idea of opening a place for the older community because there was nowhere that was open every day. He wanted to create a place where people could drop in for companionship which would be run by volunteers.

It took 11 years to find a suitable site. Sadly by this time, Mr Richards had died so his widow, Mrs Richards took charge and bought 208 High Street in 1969 with money raised by events, a shop selling various goods, gifts and a grant from Lewes Town Council.

The community got together to help paint and furnish the building. Local scouts and pupils from Ringmer School cleaned, painted and cleared the garden using donations from the community.

The House of Friendship which was the local branch of Age Concern had 300 members six months after opening. Light refreshments and hot drinks were served and there were plans for whist drives and painting classes.

In 2012 the name changed to Lewes House of Friendship and was affiliated to Age UK.

Today our ethos is still the same and we are funded by members’ fees, rental from the flats at the top of the building and room hire. This income helps to subsidise the lunches that we serve in order to provide low cost freshly cooked meals.

We are still run by volunteers who work in Reception, deliver lunches and sit on the Executive Committee but we also have five paid members of staff.

See more—

Our Team
—

Volunteers
—

Our History
—

See more
—