What the bowling club offers is support, friendship, welcomeness, generosity and most of all a safe environment to feel comfortable in. Without the likes of this, people would be at home lonely, depressed, anxious and no outlook. The games afternoon and meeting friends is what is most enjoyable and worth the 2 hours each week especially over Xmas and New Year to get out and in amongst other people. Myself and friends absolutely love it!!!!

Sent in by David, via Email 21/11/24 17.47 pm

The Warm Hand of Friendship scheme is a fabulous initiative for many groups across Inverclyde. Over the last couple of years, the bowling club has provided a warm space for members and non-members to go along to the club, enjoy the social aspects of being involved with new people and having a couple of hours to de-stress and not have the worry about other issues in your life. The cost of living has been a major factor for many, many people and left them struggling from week to week to meet financial bills. The bowling club has offered a lifeline to people of all walks of life, with darts, pool, short carpet bowls and in general just offering a facility that you can go to and enjoy a hot drink and food. All free of charge. The difference this has made to people’s lives, and mine being one is a real comfort. These last couple of years it’s allowed me to meet many new people. Sent in by Mark Kelly via email 21/11/24 , 12.04pm

Wellington Park BC is a friendly and welcoming place. I joined 7 or 8 years ago and now it’s an important and positive part of my life, making good friends with people I would not have met without the “Welly”. It is ran & maintained by members, with c50 local members from all walks of life taking part. I always look forward to the drive down to the club from Kilmacolm. Based around our own beautiful bowling green (stunning Clyde views). We play bowls from April to September but the clubhouse also opens over winter for a chat & game of pool. We are always looking for people who want to get out the house and into a warm friendly environment which has many benefits to our mental and physical health. It has a small community garden, built 2023 by members, where they grow veg & can catch up over the winter. This is when people come along to organise/plan what they intend to do with their allotments for the spring time.

Sent in by Martin via email 20/11/24, 11.47 am

This bowling club is situated in the heart of one of Inverclydes most deprived areas of the town (between Broomhill and The Strone), it has suffered its own difficulties over the years - being burnt down by acts of vandalism as well as anti social problems. However, over the last few years the club has become more engaged with the community and is flourishing. With the great help of the WHOF Grant these last couple of years, the club has been able to open its doors over the winter months and provide a warm space that people can came along and feel safe, enjoy hot drinks and snacks but more importantly gives a purpose and structure to their lives. A weekly session of activities on a Sunday afternoon from playing darts to games of pool increases mood, gets people involved and brings out the best of people's personalities. We have also had an evening at Hogmanay when we had around 30 people attend.

Sent in by Stephen via email 20/11/24, 11.42 am

Wellington Park Bowling Club has helped me a great deal since my retirement, with the WHOF FUND the clubs been providing games such as pool and darts, sandwiches/biscuit’s and hot drinks, particularly in the cold weather over the winter months when things get more difficult with costs at home.
I also meet people - old and new friends, which is great and gets you out to talk to people.
The bowling club is a great place to go at any time but more so in the winter months.

Sent in by Ian via email: 20/11/14, 11.36 am