Connection and Friendship Club
Every Wednesday morning, ACH Group’s Connection and Friendship Club brings older people together at Seaton Community Centre to share stories, enjoy activities and build lasting friendships.
By 9.30am, the tables are arranged, the kettle is on, and familiar faces begin to arrive. Some members have known each other for many years. Others joined more recently. Yet within moments, the room feels welcoming and inclusive.
The weekly gathering creates opportunities to stay active, connect with others and enjoy experiences that bring meaning to the week.
There is time to talk. Time to laugh. Time to share stories. Most importantly, there is time to connect.
And judging by the smiles around the room, it’s something many members look forward to all week.
A community that welcomes everyone, including newcomers
The western suburbs have long been known for their strong sense of community. At ACH Group’s Connection and Friendship Club, that spirit is alive and well.
Held each week at the Ngutungka Henley Beach and Seaton Community Centre, the club brings older people together to stay active, build friendships and enjoy the company of others.
Many members have known each other for years, some for more than a decade. Others have joined more recently. What they all have in common is a warm welcome and a shared sense of belonging.
The day is structured around active ageing, building social connections and creating opportunities for people to spend meaningful time together.
Each week includes gentle exercise to support mobility, games and activities such as bingo, word searches and mindful colouring, a shared lunch, and plenty of opportunities to connect and share stories.
Marion sums it up simply:
“Wednesday is my favourite day.”
Mila laughs before adding:
“I’d come here every day if I could.”
Sharing skills, stories and lifelong passions
Recently, members brought along artworks, craft projects and creative pieces to share with one another.
It was an opportunity to celebrate the hobbies, skills and interests that have shaped their lives.
For Jana, who grew up in Slovenia, handmade gifts were a cherished part of childhood.
“There were no Christmas presents unless you made them yourself for someone,” she says.
That tradition continues today. Jana creates handcrafted christening garments and ceremonial robes for her church, each reflecting years of skill, care and dedication.
Sitting nearby is fellow member Ramona, who brings a wonderful sense of energy and creativity to the group.
“If I see something, I want to try it,” she says.
She proudly shares a patchwork handbag with contrasting colours on each side, designed to complement different outfits. A beautifully crafted cardigan, along with paintings that that range from abstract works to imaginative landscapes.
There are also whimsical wooden figures, and handcrafted beaded bracelets, which she often gifts to fellow group members, or donates as bingo prizes.
More than practical support
The creativity on display isn’t limited to club members. ACH Group Support Workers Sandra and Angela also share a passion for crafting, sharing handmade creations that spark conversation and inspire others around the room.
Sandra arrives with a collection of crocheted toys, each carefully made by hand. Members gather around to admire the detail and hear the stories behind her creations.
Angela brings along handmade dolls, prompting conversations about favourite crafts, creative projects and hobbies developed over a lifetime.
What’s remarkable is that Angela only began making them around a year ago. The conversation that follows reveals one of the special qualities of the group.
Friendships that extend beyond Wednesday
While some members have known each other for years, others have discovered the club more recently.
Roman joined the group last November.
A former registered nurse who worked across South Australia, he eventually returned to the western suburbs and the home his parents once lived in.
For Roman, the club has become an opportunity to meet people, build meaningful connections and feel part of the local community.
When Jana invited him to visit the Slovenian Club, he accepted. What began as a friendship formed through the Connection and Friendship Club soon extended beyond Wednesday mornings.
It’s one of many examples of how the connections made at the club can become part of everyday life.
See you next week
Eventually, the afternoon ends.
Chairs are pushed back, goodbyes are exchanged and transport arrives to take members home.
There are plans for next week, conversations to continue and stories still waiting to be told.
Jana, Ramona and their friends wave as they leave, chatting right up until it’s time to head home.
It’s a reminder that meaningful connections can begin with something as simple as spending time together.
At ACH Group’s Connection and Friendship Club, people come together to stay active, share experiences and build lasting friendships, creating a sense of belonging that extends well beyond Wednesday mornings.
Are you looking to meet new people and make new friends?
ACH Group’s Connection and Friendship Clubs provide a welcoming space to stay active, enjoy social activities and build meaningful friendships.
Connection and Friendship Clubs may be accessed through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), Support at Home, or privately, depending on your circumstances. Learn more about how to access help at home.
Connection and Friendship Clubs
| Location | Day | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Ngutungka Henley Beach | Friday | 10am – 2pm |
| Seaton Community Centre | Wednesday | 9.30am – 1.30pm |
Learn more about the Connection and Friendship Clubs, including how make a booking or find out which club is right for you by contacting the Social Experiences team.
Discover & Explore Social Experiences
Make meaningful social connections and enjoy the vibrant culture of South Australia
ACH Group offers a range of social experiences across metropolitan Adelaide, giving you opportunities to meet new people, learn new skills or reconnect with past interests.
Led by experienced professionals, our social experiences are designed to suit a wide range of interests, abilities and goals.
The Social Experience Guide includes experiences and pricing for customers accessing services through Support at Home (SAH), the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) or paying privately.
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