Thursday Nights Are for Getting Out, Catching Up and Having Fun

As the working week begins to wind down in Clare, Thursday evening is becoming something to look forward to for participants at Clare Home & Community Options.

Every second Thursday, the usual daytime routine gives way to Thursday Social Night – an evening built around good food, good company and the simple pleasure of getting together.

From 4pm to 7pm, participants have the opportunity to head out for dinner in the local community or spend a relaxed evening at The Domain cooking, playing games, enjoying karaoke and catching up with friends.

And no two Social Nights need to look the same.

One fortnight might mean choosing a meal and sitting around the table together at a local hotel. The next could involve making pizzas, playing bingo or settling in for games and takeaway.

The current program has included dinners at the Saddleworth, Blyth and Balaklava hotels, alongside nights in featuring homemade pizzas, bingo and nibbles. Upcoming evenings include more local dining as well as Mario Kart and takeaway, a yiros night and a Christmas break-up to finish the year.

More Than a Social Night

Behind the fun is something equally important – the opportunity to be part of the community.

Going out for dinner can involve deciding what to order, speaking with hospitality staff, handling money and spending time in a busy community environment.

A night in can mean helping prepare food, taking turns during a game, making choices about activities or simply sitting down and having a conversation with someone else.

These are everyday experiences, but they can also be valuable opportunities to build confidence, independence, communication skills and friendships.

That same approach runs throughout Clare Home & Community Options' broader Daily Activities Program, which is designed around social and community participation, life skills and independence, health and wellbeing, creativity, learning, recreation and connection with the community.

Something to Look Forward To

For some people, joining a group for the first time can feel like a big step.

Thursday Social Night provides a relaxed environment where people can participate in their own way. Some might be first to volunteer for karaoke. Others might prefer a board game, help with dinner or simply enjoy sitting with the group and having a chat.

There isn't one right way to take part.

What matters is having the opportunity to get out, be involved and spend time with other people.

And sometimes the best outcomes aren't the ones written on a program.

They're the conversations around the dinner table, the laughter during a game, deciding what to cook together or looking forward to seeing the same group of people again in two weeks' time.

There's Plenty Happening in Clare

Thursday Social Night is just one part of the activities available through Clare Home & Community Options.

During the week, participants can choose from a changing range of activities including cooking, creative projects, LEGO®, outdoor activities and community outings. The program also includes Friday Fun Days and Saturday Weekenders, providing further opportunities to explore interests and spend time in the community.

Whether it's learning something new, becoming more confident doing everyday things, getting out into the community or simply finding people to share a laugh with, the focus is on creating opportunities for people to participate in ways that are meaningful to them.

Sometimes a good night out is about more than where you go. It's about who you share it with.

Find Out More

If Thursday Social Night – or any of the Clare Home & Community Options activities – sounds like something you would enjoy, we'd love to hear from you.