The doors of a drop in centre in Dereham is lucky to have are being thrown open next week to show people what they are missing. Meeting Point in St Withburga Lane is a popular day service for anyone aged over 55 or people with disabilities, but despite it being one of the only drop-in centres of its type in the county, not enough people are using it, its bosses say.

The doors of a drop in centre in Dereham is lucky to have are being thrown open next week to show people what they are missing.

Meeting Point in St Withburga Lane is a popular day service for anyone aged over 55 or people with disabilities, but despite it being one of the only drop-in centres of its type in the county, not enough people are using it, its bosses say.

So the doors will be open to all every day next week, from this Sunday to the following Saturday, with events, games, an exhibition, Dereham Town Band, jazz, a sausage and chips supper with quiz and a summer fair.

The centre has about 80 members and 20 to 30 people, aged 50 to 102, go every day to take part in everything from bingo to just enjoying a nice cooked lunch.

But Jayne Read, manager of Meeting Point, said: “We want to encourage more people to come in. About 65pc of people in Dereham are over 55, if not more, and we are here for them.

“There is nowhere else in the county that is a drop in centre like us.

“There are no criteria for people coming, just over 55s and disabled over 18.”

They have a chiropodist who comes once a month, a manicurist who comes regularly to do people's nails, regular outings, Christmas lunch and dinner and games.

But “we need more people in” she said. “At the moment there are not enough people coming through the door. If you don't use the facilities you have in your community they will go.

“A lot of people who come here, if they didn't have this they wouldn't have anywhere to go. A lot of people are on their own.

Some come every day and pay £18.75 for a two course hot lunch every day for a week.

“It gives people a reason to get up and get dressed and put their make-up on.”

Events are: Sunday, 2.30pm, Dereham Town Band concert in the Queen Mother's Garden with cream teas; Monday, 10am-2pm, dominoes tournament; Tuesday, 10am to 2pm, exhibition by organisations offering services for the elderly and disabled with free buffet, 7.30pm grand bingo; Wednesday, 11am to 2pm, live light jazz and swing with refreshments; Thursday, 10am to 2pm, Meeting Point open day, free buffet with voucher; Friday, 7.30pm, quiz with sausage and chips supper; Saturday, 10am to 1pm, summer fair.

For more information or to enter a domino or quiz team or hire a table at the fair contact Meeting Point on 01362 69886.