Pop-in centre continues to support elderly, despite lack of support from council

By Harrison Galliven, Local Democracy Reporter 

A massively popular pop-in club for elderly people is on shaky ground, according to its members.

The New Addington Good Samaritans (NAGS) Pop-In Centre is the last of its kind from the 60s built town atop the Addington Hills.

New Addington’s Derek Pearman said: “We used to go to an over-50s club down the road.

“That closed because of Covid but never reopened. We said we would never come up here because it’s full of old people, then I realised we were old.”

Mr Pearman, like many others at NAGS, loves a good laugh with fellow members.

NAGS, based just off New Addington’s Central Parade, has provided a place for elderly people to socialise and access essential services in the area since 1958.

Members can turn up five days a week, expect a cup of tea, a sandwich and a chat with like-minded people in the area.

Rosemary Sampson started coming to NAGS 32 years ago, when her mum and dad were attending, she is now its Chairlady.

She said: “I met my late husband here and we had the wedding reception here.

“He used to sit here and I made him his tea and toast every morning, we just clicked and that was it. The day we got married was voting day, we went to put our vote in and came here and they had the reception. There was no bingo that day but we didn’t mind.”

Many in the area believe services like NAGS are essential in the nationwide fight against loneliness among old people. Despite this, financial uncertainty and the lingering effects of Covid are now placing NAGS future at stake.

While it still charges its members a small annual fee of £20, NAGS previously relied upon funding from Croydon council. But, the council’s financial woes, including its three bankruptcies, meant it’s had to tighten its purse strings.

The last payment grant made to NAGS was in December 2022, and ever since the group has relied on funds from their members and supporters in the local community.

“We recognise we are all in the same situation,” said Diane Gardside, who has been running NAGS since 2017.

But, she stressed the value of NAGS as an asset to the area and the borough as a whole.

She said: “The Pop-In is a lifeline to pensioners who use the centre, for some it is their only contact with the outside world. Our service prevents and minimises the need for users to access social services and health care services.”

Muriel Astle has been coming to NAGS since 1997 and enjoys catching up with her friends Sylvia Ball and Phyllis Pratley. She said: “People at the council are going to be old one day, and they’re going to want something like this to come to.

“We are trying to self-support now, and a lot of people are supporting us now, but things have got so expensive to run.”

The council owns its premises at 1 Salcot Crescent, which NAGS has used since it was converted from a library in 1965. The centre’s placement next to the terminus of the Croydon Tramlink and near a number of bus routes has made it an ideal location for elderly visitors.

NAGS also owns its own minibus, which it uses to collect and drop members from their homes.

Before Covid, the minibus would regularly be used to take members on day trips to the seaside and across London. But, the pandemic meant once enjoyed services like day trips and hot meals inside the centre had to stop.

Despite this, they still provide members with an array of services including hairdressing, free batteries for hearing aids and even free chiropody services.

In the absence of council support, schools and businesses in the area have started fundraising to help sure up NAGS future.

Among those supporting the centre is New Addington local Collin Wimble. Mr Wimble has taken to holding sponsored walks raising over £7000 so far.

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon, said: “Due to the financial situation I inherited when I became Mayor in 2022, the council was unable to recommission the Community Fund when it came to its natural conclusion that year.

“Rent reliefs and subsidies for the voluntary sector had already been removed in previous year’s budgets, and we appreciate the impact this may have had on organisations like NAGS. Under my leadership the council has worked to rebuild and reset our relationship with our much-valued voluntary, community and faith sector, providing resources, helping to write bids and gain access to other funding opportunities.”

Pictured top: Chairlady Rosemary met her late husband at the pop in (Picture: Facundo Arrizabalaga)