Gilbert Richards Centre 40th Anniversary

Age UK Coventry and Warwickshire invites people to come along to the Gilbert Richards
Centre Open Day on Tuesday 25th April 2023 11am – 2pm. Come along and join the
volunteers in celebrating the Gilbert Richards Centre’s 40th anniversary of providing classes,
courses and friendship for older people since 1983.
This is a joint celebration of the collaboration between Coventry City Council which provides
day care for older people at the GRC and Age UK Coventry & Warwickshire which supports
the volunteers who run the Craft and Computer Centre in providing classes and courses for
older people in the various rooms. Activities range from quilting, crafts and dressmaking to
pottery, upholstery, woodwork and IT support.
The Centre was originally opened on the 28th April 1983 and was named the Gilbert Richards
Centre in honour of the well-respected local Earlsdon councillor. The building was originally
opened as Broadway school in April 1928 and closed after 50 years in July 1978.
Over time, Coventry City Council offered the facility to Age Concern (now Age UK Coventry
and Warwickshire) to provide facilities for those who were over 50 in need of social activities
to enhance their quality of life. In 1983 our collaboration was started and has been thriving
ever since.
Age UK Coventry and Warwickshire offer a wide variety of activities to provide friendship
and fun. Our centre is run by a dedicated and hardworking team of volunteers, who keep
the centre and activities running.
Mick Spicer, our Community Development Officer says “the event is all about showcasing
the work that we do at the Gilbert Richards Centre. The fantastic volunteers have built such a
good community within the centre, helping to combat loneliness and isolation –they really
do demonstrate how older people look out for one another in Coventry.’
For more information about how you can get involved in the centre, whether that be
through joining a class, volunteering or starting a group, please call the centre on 02476
672911, email craftandcomputercentre@ageukcovwarks.org.uk, or visit their page on our website