Who or what are we?

We are part of a National Charity that has a professionally staffed national headquarters with Branches, like the Farnham Branch, spread throughout the United Kingdom. There are Branches adjacent to the Farnham Branch centred on Guildford, Woking and Frimley.

What is our purpose?

Our purpose is to relieve old age, suffering, hardship and distress among our members and beneficiaries. The Branch provides or arranges for the provision of recreation, leisure time activities and contact and support to members in times of ill-health or distress.

Who is eligible to join the Fellowship?

Any person who is retired or semi-retired who has worked in the National Health Service anywhere and in any capacity may enrol as members of the Fellowship. Husbands, Wives and Partners of such eligible members may also become members of the Branch.

Monthly Meetings

We normally meet each month at the Farnham Memorial Hall, West Street, Farnham. Our meetings take place on the 2nd Tuesday of the month and commence at 1.45 pm. Speakers and Presenters cover a wide range of interests, educational and often humorous subjects. Light refreshments are served during the meetings, a 'Bring and Buy' Table and a raffle concludes our 'get together'

December marks a departure from the usual meetings format when members join the Frimley & District Branch for a Christmas Luncheon.

'Joint Ventures'

During most months of the year the Branch collaborates in providing day excursions to places of interest or Theatre or Music Hall Visits.

Holidays have also been arranged on a similar basis, usually with a local coach and travel company. These have covered both the United Kingdom and Abroad.

Support for members

Regrettably members do on occasion become frail or fall ill. We endeavour to keep in touch when this occurs and two members of the Committee have specific responsibilities to cover this aspect of the Fellowship's duty to its membership. Through a combination of floral or other gifts, telephone calls, letters, cards and visits we endeavour to give support at those times when members may feel isolated or alone. At the same time we try to ensure that there is a balance and members' privacy is always respected. The National Fellowship has a Benevolent Fund to assist with grants to members with financial problems.

Keeping in touch

The Branch has a total membership of approximately two hundred members some of whom live considerable distances from our nominal centre.

The Branch was formed in April 1990 and from the autumn of that year all members have received a regularly published newsletter.

Cost constraints have dictated that the newsletter is a fairly modest affair in the form of an eight page black and white booklet with a more ambitious issue in colour, sent out just before Christmas. We call our current newsletter 'Grapevine

If you are eligible to be a member you can obtain a membership application form by contacting any of the following telephone numbers – 01252 658575 – 01252 327826 – 01276 475919

© 2010.