Northamptonshire charity and ‘social lifeline’ Golden Years prepares for Easter quiz night
Golden Years, a charity based at Kitty’s Closet in Earls Barton, will host an Easter quiz night taking place at the Great Doddington Memorial Hall on Good Friday, the latest in a long line of events put on by the charity since it formed in 2018.
Golden Years is a charity supporting people around semi-retirement or retirement age by providing a space for ‘connection, enjoyment, and new experiences’, using proceeds from the shop to help aid its mission.
The Easter quiz night starts at 7pm on April 3, with groups of up to six able to take part for £12 per head, or £10 to members of Golden Years.
Meg Nielan launched the group eight years ago, and has been the organiser of the charity’s many outlandish activities.
She said: “Golden Years runs trips, events, and weekly lunch clubs, offering a vital social lifeline for many in the community. But behind the scenes, it’s Kitty’s Closet that helps make all of this possible.
“As the backbone of the charity, the shop raises vital funds to cover the ever-increasing costs of running Golden Years. This means that those who attend the trips, events, and lunch clubs only need to pay towards the activities themselves, keeping them accessible and affordable for everyone.
“It’s a model the charity is incredibly proud of – a family-run, self-sufficient organisation that continues to provide an essential service to so many within the community.”
Kitty’s Closet opened in 2018, with Golden Years registering as a charity soon after, and is now entirely self-sustaining, with sales from Kitty’s Closet in Station Road going directly back into the charity to fund days out, events, and excursions for members which include anything from coffee mornings, to skydiving.
Day-to-day, the shop is managed by Maggie, Meg’s Mum, alongside a dedicated team of fabulous volunteers who seek to offer ‘a welcoming space where everyone feels at home’, with clothing and pre-loved donations from brands such as Joules, Boden, M&S, and Next.
The name ‘Kitty’s Closet’ honours Maggie’s mother and Meg’s nan, who was affectionately known as Kitty, and the inspiration behind Golden Years.
Finally, Meg added: "At its heart, Kitty’s Closet is about community, compassion, and connection. It stands as a tribute to Kitty’s legacy, proving that even in the face of life’s challenges, new chapters can be written, friendships can flourish, and joy can always be rediscovered.”
Kitty’s Closet is open Thursday to Saturday from 10am until 4pm.
More information about Golden Years can be found here.