The Elderberries Programme

Our Elderberries programme, supports people aged 55+ across Northumberland by helping to reduce loneliness and isolation in our local community. It enriches daily life by bringing people together, supporting wellbeing, and encouraging everyone to try something new, helping to make Northumberland a great place to grow older, stay active, keep learning, and remain connected. To keep updated with new sessions and events or changes to the currents ones, please like our Elderberries facebook page @AlnwickGardenElderberries or contact Elderberries to pass on details and be added to our database. Although there are no costs for most of our sessions, donations are welcome to help ensure the continuation of the Elderberries programme.

Blooming Well

Blooming Well is a twice-weekly programme for people over 55 with early-onset dementia and their carers – it aims to improve quality of life while also providing support for carers. Sessions include crafts, informative talks, hand-eye coordination games, and music to help reduce isolation, boost wellbeing, and promote positive mental health. Outdoor activities are held whenever possible during the spring and summer.

33 people benefitted from these groups 2024/25 with 792 attendances.

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Gentlemen’s
Garden

A weekly session where gentlemen can socialise, share traditional skills, and learn new ones while tending their own allotment plots under the guidance of Deputy Head Gardener, George Swordy.

Time spent in nature supports mental wellbeing, while growing and eating organic vegetables promotes better overall health. Gardening is also proven to reduce stress and anxiety by improving mood.

During the winter months, sessions move indoors for woodcrafts, quizzes, and seasonal projects.

15 gentleman engaged in the Gentlemen’s Garden programme with 410 attendances throughout 2024/25

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The Drop-In Centre

The Drop-In is a volunteer-led initiative offering a warm, welcoming space for people over 55 to connect, reduce social isolation, and build friendships. Held in the Stuart Halbert Room at The Alnwick Garden, it runs every Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, where visitors can play cards, enjoy music, or join in with dominoes, jigsaws, and more.

The sessions are free and include tea, coffee, juice, and homemade scones and cake. Created by The Duchess of Northumberland to help combat loneliness among older people, the initiative has been generously funded by The Stuart Halbert Foundation, The Rank Foundation, and Sir John and Lady Hall.

3,453 people attended The Drop-In Centre in 2024/25

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Walk & Talk – Walking Group

A weekly walking session encouraging Elderberries to stay active and enjoy the health benefits of regular exercise. Walking helps maintain a healthy weight, improve cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones and muscles, and boost endurance. It can also help prevent or manage conditions such as Heart Disease, Stroke, High Blood Pressure, Cancer, and Type 2 Diabetes. Combined with a social chat with friends old and new, it makes for a great start to the day.

In 2024/25, 68 individuals took part in the walking group, generating 1,194 attendances. Participants reported improvements in both physical and mental wellbeing, as well as the opportunity to connect with others and build lasting friendships along the way.

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Explore our other Elderberries Programmes

Stories & Impact

Hear how our Elderberries Programmes have helped our local community.

Joe, who attends Elderberries

“My daughter suggested coming to Elderberries as it was a nice friendly get together and a little bit of a walk and you could just come and go as you wanted, so I came. That was four or five years ago and I have virtually not missed many sessions because of how much I enjoy it. I’ve made friends with everybody, really, and meet them outside of here”

Gail, walking group member

“I moved into the area, not knowing anyone but after walking with the Elderberries, it has brought me out of my shell and I have met some lovely people. We get exercised, fed, we chat and get a laugh. I leave the house at half past nine and get home about half one, so it is a beautiful morning, it really is”

Rose, Blooming Well Volunteer

“Before I volunteered at Blooming Well, I had no confidence and was really shy. I’ve now met lots of people and gained so much experience, which has built up my confidence. I talk much more now and am able to sit and chat with Michael (one of our Elderberries), help him with crafts and encourage him to remember things and share his stories.”

Liz, attendee of blooming well

“A very big thank you to everyone on the team for making such a wonderful change to my life.”

gordon, gent’s garden member

“Even though the sessions are only two hours a week, they’re a wonderful two hours to look forward to. I’ve learned so much that I can take home and use in my own garden, and to George, nothing is a bother.”

Barry, gent’s garden member

For Barry, the Gentlemen’s Garden provides much more than gardening; it offers friendship, companionship and a welcoming community throughout the year.

Meet the Team

Tracey Graham

Wellbeing Programme Manager

I started working at The Alnwick Garden as a Visitor Welcome Host in 2017, moved across to work on the Community and Education team in November 2018, and since May 2022 have held the position of Wellbeing Programme Manager, managing and running the Elderberries Programme.

I am very much a people orientated person and therefore my job role is extremely relevant, I enjoy coming to work and liaising with colleagues and beneficiaries throughout, with the aim behind what I do to help promote positive mental and physical health and well being. Every day is different which really does appeal to me, so, little chance of boredom and always ensures progression. I thrive in the fact that what I do helps others and it is obvious how much myself and our services mean to the beneficiaries.

I enjoy socialising with family and friends and meeting new people as well as partaking in different activities and challenges. I am also a firm believer in exercise helping overcome many of life’s obstacles and this is a large part of my personal life. I regularly participate in a variety of sport and exercise activities, I had the honour of playing for our first ever regional, North East Raiders 35+ age women’s team at a National tournament and then representing the Irish Barbarian 27+ age women’s group at the European Senior Cup in Lisbon, Portugal, both in 2019. Since then I have played for England Lions Women’s W40s at the Euros in 2023, I captained the North East Women’s 40s Touch Rugby team at Nationals in 2025 and 2026, and captained the Eurostars Touch Rugby W40s at the Senior/Masters Championships in 2025. I also enjoy paddleboarding and generally being active. I thrive on mastering new skills and tasks and also enjoy furthering my knowledge in all areas of interest.

The Elderberries programme aims to combat the impact of loneliness and isolation for people over 55 living in Northumberland. The programme helps to provide an enrichment to daily life, and works to connect people, enhance wellbeing, and encourage people to try something new. This includes but not limited to; sessions for people with memory issues, a gardening group for gentlemen, walking groups, information talks and singing sessions. Please contact elderberries@alnwickgarden.com for any further information. Many who attend have mentioned, if they did not have the Elderberries, they would have no reason to leave the house.

How your donation can help

£5 provides one of our Elderberries with a cuppa and a cake at a Tea & Tech session
£10 provides equipment for one of our Elderberries to attend a Blooming Well session for the week
£50 provides refreshments to our Elderberries for a week
£150 provides hire of a mini bus to take Gents Gardeners on a day trip to reduce social isolation
£150 provides seeds, equipment and compost for one of our Gent’s Garden plots for a year
£500 provides the basic PPE needed for Elderberries to take part in our wellbeing horticultural activities

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