MEMBERS of a Basingstoke coffee club celebrated with the borough’s mayor last week following its relocation.

Kancare (Kempshott Area NeighbourCare) was formed in January 1997 to offer practical neighbourly help to the residents of Kempshott.

It is the only voluntary care group in the area to drive people to doctor and hospital appointments and visit elderly, sick and housebound people in their homes.

As another way to connect residents in the area, the group launched a coffee club in December 1997 at St Mark’s Church, in Homesteads Road, to provide a regular meeting place in the heart of the community.

But, after 17 years at the church base, the group has relocated to the nearby Basingstoke Rugby Football Club, in Pack Lane, because the church will be used for a full-time playgroup.

When Basingstoke RFC heard about the work of Kancare, it offered the coffee club its Down Grange base to use for meetings.

At the official relocation launch last Friday, the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Councillor Roger Gardiner, praised the work that is done by the voluntary group and said “what a pleasure it was to be part of this new venture”.

Cllr Gardiner also awarded the club £200 from his charity fund to help them settle in to their new premises.

He said: “It is what volunteering is all about, getting out and helping people.

“It (the coffee club) gets people out but they also take them places and it gives them something to look forward to and relish life. I think these organisations are wonderful.”

Carol Wallace, Kancare Coffee Club organiser, told The Gazette: “We are grateful to Basingstoke RFC for accommodating the coffee club and we look forward to a long and rewarding liaison.”

The coffee club is held between 10am and 11.15am on Friday mornings.

For more information, call Kancare on 01256 474147.