Our groups and activies provide a range of benefits to older people, such as:

They promote good health and wellbeing.

They are sociable, helping to combat the loneliness many older people feel.

They give people the opportunity to engage with others within their community.

They give older people a chance to be involved with volunteering.

Our two gardening groups meet weekly in Laurencekirk and Portlethen. Members enjoy light gardening activities in and around their local communities during spring and summer. In winter they head indoors to enjoy talks from garden, countryside and wildlife experts, or to craft items such as wreaths, bird feeders and boxes.

Both groups are Scotrail Station Adopters, and responsible for the lovely planter and tub displays at Laurencekirk and Portlethen railway stations.

In Association with Paths For All, we have three walking groups for people aged 50+ around the Mearns. The walks are a combination of valuable low-level exercise and social contact, often ending with a trip to a cafe! They are suitable for all levels of fitness, or for people who need walking aids. Run by volunteer leaders, the walks take place all year round in Stonehaven, and during the summer months in St Cyrus and Laurencekirk.

The walks are open to anyone aged 50 and over who wants to enjoy getting out and about with company.

A Laurencekirk-based weekly social group for people with mild cognitive impairment or early stage dementia. Members enjoy such activities as board games and crafts, music afternoons with the local pensioner’s group, talks and quizzes at Mearns community library and crafts of all kinds. The group go on regular outings to venues such as Links Park in Montrose, St Cyrus Nature Reserve and the Grassic Gibbon Centre at Arbuthnott.

Assisting the group along with staff members Sam and Denise are a number of dedicated older volunteers. As well as giving enjoyment and social contact to the members, it gives their families a bit of time to themselves each week.

First launched in Laurencekirk in April 2019 as the Mearns Memory Café, the café is a free event for people with dementia and their families, friends and carers, and any interested people in the community.  It’s a place for people to get together for a sociable chat, cuppy and cake. We now have a monthly café in Laurencekirk and Portlethen, and twice-monthly in Stonehaven.

The cafés include optional activities such as crafts and board games, and special guests come along to offer extras. These have included sitting yoga and gentle exercise sessions, songs and music from Lathallan pupils and an art session with Quarriers. We also have information and advice from visiting organisations such as Citizens Advice and Alzheimer Scotland.

Our gentle exercise classes help older people maintain fitness and flexibility. We have two weekly classes in Stonehaven, run by Sheila Lanning.

A weekly lunch club at a restaurant in Stonehaven town centre, where local older people get together for a sociable hot meal, chat and a cuppy.

Run in association with Community Learning and Development, the Sunshine Club gives you a chance to try something new. Previous activities have included Doric poetry, soap making, gentle yoga and flower art. Fortnightly in Laurencekirk.

Blocks of 6-weekly classes, where you can learn how to use technology. Includes online safety, using emails, social media, shopping online and more. These have been held in Portlethen, Stonehaven, Inverbervie and Laurencekirk. From summer 2023 we are adding digital support cafés in Portlethen and Laurencekirk that you can come along to for help, without booking.

A fun and not too strenuous way to help stay fit and healthy. Held every Wednesday afternoon at Stonehaven Recreation Grounds. Free and open to anyone over the age of 50.

A creative skills project with Mearns-based artist Carrie Fertig, focusing on our experience of wellbeing in nature and climate. Small friendly groups receive free tuition in video, audio, nature writing/poetry. Free creative use of virtual reality training, and the opportunity to record your Mearns story. Supported by Creative Scotland. Learn more here.

If you would like to join any of our groups or activities, find out availability, or to get more information about them, please contact us.