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Hildegarde Weekes Activity Centre
While on a trip to the United States, Hildegarde Weekes visited a senior citizens’ village and was so enthralled by what she witnessed that she felt a similar one could be established in Barbados. As she was a Soroptimist, she brought her vision to the SI Barbados club, and decided to investigate the possibility of providing purpose-built homes for seniors.
Soroptimist sisters worked tirelessly to ensure that the Senior Citizens Village became a reality. Thanks to the support of both public and private sectors, the groundbreaking for the village took place in 1977 and the first cluster of five units were completed and tenants took up residence in June 1978. Building of the other residences continued over the years following and the Activity Centre was completed in 1991. In 1996 the Activity Centre was renamed the Hildegarde Weekes Activity Centre. It provides a recreational space for the residents of the Village and seniors within the community to engage in various activities such as line dancing, gardening, as well as art and crafts.
The most recent upgrade on the compound is the 2018 addition of a laundromat for the residents. Once again, the initiative was realised through the kind support of local businesses.
The Soroptimist Village
Centrally located at Eden Lodge, St. Michael, the Soroptimist Senior Citizens Village is in close proximity to a range of amenities.
Set amidst tall trees and well-tended gardens on 2.4 acres of land, the Village caters for fully independent senior living within a community of like individuals.
The Village comprises 24 one-bedroom self-contained residences arranged in duplexes. Each home has an attached kitchen, and a separate bathroom included in the 900 sq ft of living space.
The first units were completed in 1978 and the last phase of the Village was completed in 1991.
The Hildegarde Weekes Activity Centre
Nestled within the village, the recreational centre was named after past president, Hildegarde Weekes, whose vision made the Soroptimist Village become a reality.
The centre is open to residents and visiting seniors who come to the centre to participate in the social and vocational activities.
The Activity Centre provides recreational and educational activities for senior citizens three days a week.
Activity Centre Amenities
The centre comprises of the Administrative Office, a meeting room, a recreation hall, adequate bathrooms and a sick bay.
There is also a full kitchen where meals are prepared for the seniors.
All seniors attending the Activity Centre are given a hot lunch and a mid-morning snack.
Our Administrator is in charge of the day-to-day running of the Centre and devises programmes of interest to the seniors.
