The All Stars Club was founded as a new initiative following the closure of the long standing Fourgate Club (Gateway Club) which was held at Canal Street House and organised by parent/carers.
Crossroads Care were originally approached by parents to take on the running of the club, but
advice of partners was to develop a new club to be based more closely on the results of consultation.  Social services made available to Crossroads the results of a consultation exercise they had undertaken.  Social services and other partners wanted the new club to be something that was needed and responsive to what services user actually wanted.  Therefore Social services were very supportive in the development of the new club as were MENCAP. After much debate members decided to call the Club ‘All Stars’ and it was officially launched by Chester’s Member of Parliament during February 2006.

Since then the group has come together really well and as a result the members have formed friendships among themselves.   They support each other and have begun meeting outside of the usual arranged Tuesday evenings. As a whole the members are a diverse group and help to run their own Club.   Between themselves they plan their own activities with enthusiasm and where possible the staff make the events happen.  Many of the activities have included Bowling, Games Evenings, Swimming, Meals out at Restaurants, Snooker, Visits to Local Pubs to play darts and pool, Walks, Bingo , a Christmas Party dinner and a Karaoke Evening.

Our activities continue to run on a 6 week basis, with the new plan being discussed over a meal out at the end of each 6 weeks.  We try to vary the activities although there are a number that appear regularly on our list due to the fact that the clients find them the most enjoyable.  We have enjoyed trips to the cinema, swimming, crown green bowling, pub nights out with pool and darts and walks around the walls and down the river.
 
We have also been regularly joining up with the Friday Club for activities such as ten pin bowling and a carol concerts for Christmas.  We have found this extremely beneficial for both groups and that the members have been enjoying the opportunity to make more friends, and to gain confidence in meeting new people.

The All Stars Club has continued to go from strength to strength over the last few years.  We frequently receive positive feedback from both carers and the service users with regards to the way the club is run and the activities that we put on.  The club’s popularity is now well known and we have a waiting list for new service.