In April 1991, a meeting was held in Gullane Church, with the aim to set up a Day centre for the elderly in Gullane, Dirleton and Aberlady areas. This was met with great enthusiasm by a large section of the community and so it began!
A meeting was chaired by Peter Jackson, who subsequently became Chairman of the Day Centre Committee with Primrose Barr secretary and Paula Jackson treasurer/fund raiser and 6 members of the committee. A co-ordinator Margaret Murray was appointed.
The new Day Centre was funded by donations from the public, businesses in the area and a lot of fund raising. A small grant from East Lothian Council and District Council was awarded. The amount was £596. The members paid £1.50 a day.
At this stage the Day Centre was open for one day a week (Thursday) in the small hall of the Village Hall for about 15 members.
Lunches were provided by volunteers, home made soup, sandwiches, scones and cakes. The day was run by the co-ordinator and volunteers.
These days were very happy with activities, outings, entertainment and fun, even a pantomime! All provided voluntarily.
The members were transported from their homes by the Red Cross bus initially then a borrowed bus from Lammermuir Transport until we bought our first second hand bus by fund raising then eventually our present bus. All driven by volunteer drivers and escorts.
In August 1993 the Social Work Dept. decided we could use the old scout hut present beside the library. This was adapted and prepared over 3 years and we eventually moved in at the beginning of 1996. This was a great improvement, with all new furnishings and fittings. We then had our first paid co-ordinator, Nancy Rankin, who joined us in August 1996, and we opened 3 days a week, still with volunteers and an increased grant of £7,000 per annum.
The banner which hangs in the Centre was completed in January 1998, all designed and made by our volunteers.
We have continued to run a very happy day centre, increasing over the years to 3 part time staff for 4 days a week while still having help from many volunteers.
Funding for the Centre has always been challenging. Now with increased legislation in care for the elderly, things have changed, with staff qualifications essential, which all staff have now.
After many discussions and meetings over years, the Council with the Health Board agreed to use the site in Hamilton Road to build a new Health Centre linked up with the modern Day Centre that we have today. This was opened in 2014.
The new building has really proved to be a great asset to our local community, with many happy and sociable days run by our professional and caring team. The centre operates for 4 days per week with as many as 15 people daily enjoying the superb modern facilities.
A 2 course lunch is prepared and there are many exercises, socials, local entertainment and interaction with all our staff and visitors. We even have regular entertainment from the local school at Christmas and Easter.