About Us

Phone: 0208-680-0084

E-mail: darbyjoan7@yahoo.co.uk

Croydon's Darby and Joan Club was only the second in the country, the first was in Streatham, and was formed in 1945 with donations from local citizens and businessmen to celebrate the end of World War Two.

For members, the Darby and Joan Club is a vital lifeline, providing friendship, good meals and activities to combat the problems associated with old age

The only restriction for joining is that the club's members live within the borough of Croydon and are over 60 years old.

Initially based in Haling Cottage in Brighton Road, leased from the Whitgift Foundation, the club moved to freehold premises at Parkhyrst in Addiscombe Road in 1948.

It was housed here until the gales of January 1990 and subsequent repeated burglaries and vandalism led to the closure of the building and its demolition.

The club's council continued to pursue ways to reopen and seven years later, with the backing of the Charity Commission, the new premises opened in Addiscombe Road in January 1997.

This was also made possible thanks to negotiations with a nursing home adjacent to the current site.

The social needs have noticeably changed over the years. In those days local neighbourhoods were socially-minded and the elderly were usually well-looked after within the community and rarely isolated.

However, today it is common practice for the elderly and frail to remain in their homes for longer periods and often become lonely, confused and depressed.

The unique facilities of our club particularly encourages these lonely people to enjoy nutritious meals, entertainment and friendly fellowship.

To contact us: