Older people across Bury, Bolton and beyond are finding friendship, companionship and a reason to get out of the house thanks to the Cabaret Lunch Club.
Founded by Sarah Dennis, the clubs bring people together for a hot meal and live afternoon entertainment, while tackling loneliness and isolation in local communities.
The initiative has operated as a community interest company for the past eight years, creating opportunities for older residents to meet new people, make friends and enjoy afternoons filled with music and conversation.
Sarah said the idea for the Cabaret Lunch Club was inspired by her own experiences of her mother living with dementia.
She wanted somewhere her father could take her mother during the day, giving them both an opportunity to get out of the house together.
She said: "They loved singing and live music."
Recognising a lack of social opportunities for older people, Sarah launched the first event eight years ago.
She said: "It started as something we wanted to do for my mum and dad, then we changed it into a community interest company."
Since then, the Cabaret Lunch Club has grown significantly and now hosts more than 40 events every month, welcoming around 1,000 people across Greater Manchester and beyond.
Many attendees have been coming since the very beginning, with Sarah affectionately referring to them as her "Cabaret Lunch Clubbers".
She believes the initiative has transformed lives by helping people overcome loneliness and build lasting friendships.
Recalling one memorable conversation, Sarah said a woman told her the club had changed her life after years of feeling isolated.
Through attending events, she had formed lifelong friendships and found a reason to leave the house and socialise again.
The Cabaret Lunch Club runs events across eight Greater Manchester boroughs, with regular gatherings taking place in both Bury and Bolton.
Venues include The Same Yet Inn and Scotties Tea Room in Bury, as well as The Beaumont Arms, Three Pigeons, Sparking Clog, Wellington, Queens and Jubilee Centre in Bolton.
Events are promoted through the Cabaret Lunch Club Facebook page and the Shiny Music website, where people can find participating venues and book a table free of charge.
As the initiative continues to grow, Sarah is keen to raise awareness of the club and attract support from local businesses.
The organisation is run by three volunteer directors who dedicate their time to organising events and supporting older people in their communities.
"The Cabaret Lunch Club was created with no money," Sarah said.
"It's grown on fumes."
Looking ahead, Sarah hopes increased community support and funding will allow the project to reach even more people across Bury, Bolton and the wider region.
Comparing loneliness to "a massive toothache in your chest", she remains passionate about helping people feel connected and valued.
Read next
Through the Cabaret Lunch Club, she hopes to continue creating welcoming spaces where people can make friends, enjoy themselves and feel part of a community.
To get involved, email: cabaretlunch@shinymusic.co.uk
For information about future events, visit shinymusic.co.uk or the Cabaret Lunch Club Facebook page.
Share