Case Study: Skittles group at The Langton Pub, St Anne’s, Bristol
St Monica Trust partnered with Knowle West Health Park (KWHP) through the Community Development Fund. Through this funding, KWHP employed a Community Development Worker for Older People, Kathleen Woodhouse, who encouraged older people in the community to establish groups based on their interests. This case study showcases the success of the grant and how it supported communities where older people flourished.
How the group started
Kim, a member of the Community Meet Ups group at St Anne’s House, which had also been established with Kathleen’s support, attended an indoor kurling taster session.
During the session, she spoke about her previous experience as a member of a skittles team and her enthusiasm for playing again. Her interest sparked enthusiasm among other group members, and the idea of starting a local skittles group quickly gained momentum.
One member volunteered to visit The Langton Pub, a local venue with a skittle alley, and returned with contact details for the relevant member of staff. Encouraged by the positive response, Kim agreed for initial enquiries to be made to explore the possibility further.
To help bring the idea to life, Kathleen contacted the pub to ask whether they could offer the skittle alley at a reduced rate. She was delighted when the pub agreed to provide the space free of charge, provided it was used during a quieter period when paid bookings were unlikely. A suitable time was then agreed that worked for both the pub and Kim, while avoiding clashes with other local community groups.
To promote the new group, two Meet Ups members distributed flyers around the local area, while Kathleen shared information through her wider network. The pub also played an active role in advertising the group, helping to attract interest from across the community.
When the group launched, Kim and the others waited nervously to see who would turn up. Thirteen people attended the first session, enjoying a relaxed afternoon where everyone had the opportunity to take part. Kim shared her skittles expertise with those who were new to the game. People heard about the group through a variety of channels, including the pub, leaflets at other local groups, and the Bristol Older People’s Forum, with one participant even travelling from St George to join.
How the group has developed
Attendance fluctuated between five and eleven people, but there were always enough participants for an enjoyable game. The group required very little organisation, meaning Kim did not always need to be present. The pub management were happy for the group to continue using the skittle alley for as long as they wished. Most players bought a drink from the bar and occasionally a meal, so the arrangement benefited both local older people and the pub. There was also a steady flow of new members, with some joining through word of mouth and others after seeing information shared on the pub's Facebook page.
Friendships developed between people who had not previously met. Between skittles turns, conversations ranged from light-hearted chats to more supportive discussions, with participants sharing information about other sources of support and local community groups.
What people are saying about the group
People enjoyed that it was a drop-in group. One person attended another Monday afternoon group and alternated between the two. Another local resident discovered the group through the Celebrating Age event at Knowle West Healthy Living Centre. She spoke about feeling cut off as winter approached and was pleased to find somewhere local to spend an afternoon. Several people reconnected with others they already knew and were delighted to become reacquainted.
People were pleased to have found a local group to attend, avoiding the need to use public transport. One regular member said, “I love it.” Another commented, “Very friendly and welcoming group. I have recommended the group to other people in the community.”
The Langton Pub said, “It was lovely for us to be able to give back a little to the community, and it was a pleasure to host such a nice group here every Monday. We felt lucky that you chose our pub for your meet-ups, and it was brilliant to see such a strong community in the area.”
Kim's interview
Listen to the attached voice recording interviewing Kim, founder member of Community Meet Ups Group at St Anne’s House and Kathleen, Community Development Worker for Older People. Kim started the skittles group at The Langton Pub in Brislington. This is the story of how that group came about and Kim’s experiences of being part of community groups following the death of her beloved husband, Malcom.