Woking – A guide for the elderly

Woking is a vibrant and bustling town with plenty to offer its elderly residents. With beautiful green spaces, accessible community transportation, and a thriving community of seniors, Woking is the perfect place to stay active, engaged, and connected. In this Woking guide for the elderly, we’ll go over the top services available to the elderly in Woking and the best accessible activities for those of any age or ability.

For those who may require additional care and support, explore our live-in care services in Woking. Our dedicated team will work with you or your loved one to find a carer in Woking who can provide tailored, experienced care suited to your loved one’s needs.

Woking senior social clubs

Woking community choir

Woking’s community choir is open to singers of all abilities and aims to develop their members’ confidence and passion for singing. They practice a variety of pop and gospel songs and there is no need to read music to join. This choir is informal, sociable and welcome to all.

Epworth Choir

A friendly amateur mixed choir of about 80 singers from Woking and the surrounding areas. This choir is free to join, is open to beginners, and performs a variety of music ranging from major choral works in Guildford Cathedral to classical and popular music at venues across Woking.

Woking Community Group

This group is based in the Woking Resource Centre and aims to support disabled people, autistic people, older people, and those with care needs of any age. Some activities and available facilities include:

• Hydrotherapy
• Cooking classes
• A ladies group
• Photography classes
• A gym room
• Community and local visits
• Art and music

Call 01483 806806 or email info@surreychoices.com for more information.

Woking Scrabble Club

Join the Woking Scrabble Club every Monday at the Maybury Centre from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm for a friendly group of people who enjoy a game of Scrabble. You can ring 01932 347931 for more information.

The Schoolhouse Project Art classes

This project was originally established to provide a drop-in facility for older people, mostly from ethnic communities, and holds a variety of sessions for the community. These include classes on art, well-being, computer skills, and more.

The art classes are every Thursday between 9:30 am and 2 pm at the Maybury Day Centre. Come along on Thursday or email Laura at NordikArtStudio@gmail.com for further information.

Woking History Society

This group offers a programme of eleven talks each year on Woking history and other historical topics. They are held at the Maybury Centre and given by either visiting or home-grown speakers.

The Arts Society Mayford

Increase your understanding of art, meet like-minded people, and support arts education and conservation with this Woking-based art society. Join for a programme of lectures, visits, and volunteering opportunities.

Woking & District Men’s Shed

This men’s group aims to reduce loneliness and isolation by creating a community space to connect and create. Older men in Woking in need of companionship, stimulation and company are welcome to pursue hobbies like woodworking and to learn new skills. The shed is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm.

Andy’s Community Café

This is a friendly community cafe that provides a warm, safe space for people. They are open on Wednesdays and Thursdays and operate a pay-as-you-feel menu where you pay what you can afford. Here, you may enjoy barista coffees, a selection of teas, and delicious cakes and snacks.

Dementia-friendly activities and groups in Woking

Engaging in new activities and remaining social and active can help improve quality of life and slow the progression of dementia. In Woking, there are a number of dementia-friendly activities and groups for its residents.

• Musical memories – These are held every third Tuesday of the month from 2 pm to 4 pm at Brockhill Extra Care, 99 Clifton Way, Woking GU21 3NE.
• Forget-me-not café – Join the café at Brockhill every fourth Wednesday of the month, from 2 pm to 4 pm. Call 01483 488 222 for more information.
• Down memory lane – This service includes the singing of traditional hymns and readings followed by tea. Feel free to join in at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Coldharbour Road, Woking GU22 8SP every fourth Thursday at 2:30 pm.
• Woking Carer’s Choir – This is a singing group for people with dementia and their careers to attend together. It is open to all abilities. Find more information here.
• Dementia-friendly swimming – These sessions are specifically designed to help people with dementia enjoy swimming, no matter their swimming ability. They are led by qualified Amateur Swimming Association teachers and held at Woking Pool in the Park. Call Freedom Leisure at 01483 771 122 to book.
• Surrey reminiscence library – This collection is kept at Woking Library and consists of various reminiscence therapy materials. It is available to anyone in Surrey who supports those with dementia or memory impairment. All of the materials are designed to help evoke memories and encourage discussion with books, DVDs, games, flashcards, activities, jigsaws, music, artefacts and more. Email community.connections@surreycc.gov.uk or call 01483 541 518 to book an appointment.
• Art in Mind – These monthly art workshops are held at The Lightbox to engage with adults in the early stages of dementia and their carers. Email heather.thomas@thelightbox.org.uk or call 01483 737815 for more information.

Woking community centres

Several community centres in Woking offer a number of activities for the elderly. Below we provide more details for some of the weekly clubs and organisations that can offer company, support and stimulating activities for seniors in Woking.

The Vyne centre for the community

Located in Knaphill, Woking, the Vyne centre is a warm and welcoming place that is open daily for groups and people of all ages. This centre offers a coffee bar and lunchtime meals, volunteering opportunities, and a weekly programme of activities and events such as:

• A weekly knitting group
• Boccia and Bingo
• Dance classes
• A scrabble group
• Computer lessons
• Adult colouring
• Writer’s circles

The Maybury Day Centre

This is the location of many Woking societies and groups. This centre provides facilities for education, health, welfare, advice, and social recreation. Explore what’s on at the Maybury Day Centre here.

Accessible days out in Woking

The Lightbox museum and gallery

This museum is a short walk from Woking Town Square, sitting alongside the Basingstoke Canal, and it is designed to be one of the most accessible cultural venues in the South East. They offer an extensive range of temporary exhibitions that change every few months. The exhibitions usually feature art that is on loan from major museums and galleries as well as art that is famous locally, nationally, and internationally.

Here, you will also find Woking’s Story, a permanent museum that explores Woking’s fascinating history. This museum features interactive displays, historic films, and oral history listening points to discover personal memories of life in the town. The museum also features a gift shop and a lovely canal-side café.

Woking Art Trail

Throughout Woking, there are a number of stunning public art pieces. This gentle walking trail will take you through all the highlights – perfect for art lovers who will appreciate Woking’s growing number of sculptures and art installations. See an interactive map of the trail here.

Green spaces in Woking

Woking is home to beautiful green spaces and lots of gentle walking opportunities for the elderly to get outside and enjoy nature. For an interactive map of Woking parks and green spaces, click here.

Woking Park Tree Trail

This tree trail will take you on a tour of the most interesting and rare trees in Woking Park. From Wellingtonia to Tulip Trees, Chilean Plum Yews and Sweet Gums, a trail map (which can be found at the entrance to the park) will provide information about 12 of the special trees in the park. Click here for a detailed copy of the tree trail map.

Guided Woking nature walks

Guided Woking nature walks are available, led by a trained walking leader. These walks are aimed at improving the mental and physical health of participants through nature and being active. These walks are free to join, accessible for a range of walking abilities, and open to all. Sign up to take part in Woking nature walks here.

Self-guided walks

There are also plenty of beautiful self-guided walks you can take on your own. These available walks below take you through stunning nature and wonderful historical paths.

• Byfleet Heritage Trail
• Horsell to Hook Heath
• Muslim Heritage Trail
• Old Woking Heritage Trail
• Rural Ripley

Accessible toilets in Woking

All toilet locations mentioned below offer accessible facilities through the RADAR Key Scheme. There is a nominal charge to purchase a key. To do so, please call Woking City Council at 01483 755 855. Toilets are open seven days a week from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.

Locations of accessible toilets in Woking:

• Horsell – Wheatsheaf Recreation Ground, Chobham Road
• Knaphill – High Street (near the junction with Anchor Hill)
• Sheerwater Recreation Ground – Blackmore Crescent
• Byfleet Recreation Ground – Stream Close
• West Byfleet – Lavender Park Road (near the junction with Parvis Road)
• Woking town centre – Victoria Way Car Park
• Woking town centre – Locke Way (near Duke Street)
• Woking town centre – Heathside Car Park, Heathside Crescent

Accessible parking and community transport in Woking

Woking town centre caters to disabled visitors with concessionary parking in town centre car parks for blue badge holders, under-cover shopping malls, and extra facilities for those with mobility issues.

Town centre buggy

There is a town centre buggy that offers free transportation for anyone who may need assistance getting around the pedestrianised area of the town. It’s operated by Woking Community Transport and calls at a number of popular destinations on Monday to Friday, between 9:30 am and 1:30 pm.

Woking Shopmobility

For those who would like mobility equipment, there are power scooters as well as manual and powered wheelchairs available for hire with Woking Shopmobility. There is also a companion service for those requiring extra support or assistance. Call 01483 776 612 or visit the Woking Shopmobility website for more information.

Door-to-door transport

For door-to-door community transport, residents with reduced mobility can use the Woking Bustler Dial-A-Ride Service. This service will collect you from your home and provide transportation to destinations across the borough, for shopping trips, to visit relatives, or to the Vyne centre. You do not have to be registered as disabled to use this service, and an escort or service dog may travel with you if you need extra assistance.
For more information, call 01483 744 800 or visit the Woking Bustler website.

Live-in carers in Woking

If you or a loved one require extra assistance to enjoy all Woking has to offer, live-in carers in Woking can provide specialised support at home and in the community. Explore our Woking live-in care options or read more about live-in care to learn more about living a more independent and comfortable life.