“IT HAS changed their life”. Those were the words of the founder of a coffee morning for pensioners which has become a lifeline for dozens of elderly people in Oxford.

Sweet Memories began 10 years ago by Donnington resident Christine Burden who realised there was nowhere for older people to meet new friends.

Attracting just a handful of members to start with, the club, based at the Gladiator Club in Iffley Road, Oxford, has grown so much it draws about 80 pensioners every week.

Today, its visitors will be marking a decade since it was formed and celebrating with tea, sandwiches, and the sound of Kennington Silver Band.

Last night, Mrs Burden, 64, said the club now attracted people from all over Oxford and was probably one of the biggest social groups for older people.

She said: “It has changed their life. They can’t express how grateful they are.

“Some of them just need a shoulder to cry on and someone to care about their problems.

“A lot of them, their families don’t bother. It’s just knowing that I’m there and at the end of the phone if they need me at any time.

“This club is desperately needed. It gives them something to live for. I am passionate about it.

“It’s great when I can sit back on a Thursday and see them laughing and enjoying themselves. That’s all I want.”

For £1, visitors can play a raffle, bingo, and have as much tea and coffee, cakes and biscuits as they like.

In winter, volunteers make toasted sandwiches, soup and other hot snacks.

Occasionally, they hire coaches and go on outings, have pub lunches, and shopping trips to garden centres.

Organisations, such as Age UK Oxfordshire, social services and police, are often invited to talk to residents about services on offer and how to stay safe in their homes.

Mrs Burden, of Meadow Lane, Donnington, said: “I never in my life expected it to get so big. My mother was old and lonely and I had been to some nursing homes and people are sat around in circles looking at each other.

“I love them all to bits, I’ve got a big extended family. It’s a big happy family.”

A team of seven volunteers help Mrs Burden run the coffee morning each week.

She said: “It wouldn’t be possible without my team of volunteers. They meet me at the club at 7am on Thursday, rain or shine to help me. I couldn’t do it on my own.”

The Sweet Memories coffee morning runs every Thursday between 9.30am and noon for anyone over 65.