Pinners Award Club is a friendly Bournemouth community offering weight-management support, craft sessions and a relaxed monthly book club. Based at its dedicated hub on Wimborne Road, it helps adults work towards personal goals, rediscover hobbies and form genuine friendships. Members can attend Weight Wise, Craft Wise or Book Wise, with achievements celebrated through the club’s distinctive collection of certificates, stickers and award pins.
Pinners Award Club was founded in 2023 by Bournemouth resident Susie Pinner to create a welcoming place where adults could find encouragement, build friendships and celebrate personal achievements.
Instead of focusing on a single activity, the club brings together wellbeing, creativity, reading and personal challenges. Members can choose which goals interest them and work towards specially designed award pins at their own pace.
The club is open to adults of different ages and is not exclusively for over-50s.
Weight Wise combines calorie-based weight management with group support and a broader focus on wellbeing.
A typical meeting includes a private check-in and weigh-in followed by a group session. Members can discuss their progress, celebrate completed awards and make a positive plan for the week ahead.
The programme encourages sustainable habits rather than focusing entirely on the scales. Optional challenges cover subjects such as nutrition, healthy cooking, physical activity, gardening, creativity and personal wellbeing.
Current Weight Wise sessions are held:
Check availability before attending because individual sessions may become full.
Craft Wise offers relaxed social crafting for people who would like time to work on their own projects while meeting other makers.
Participants can bring a current craft project, exchange ideas and enjoy refreshments in a supportive environment. Members can attend as many weekly sessions as they choose and work towards Craft Wise awards and project pins if they wish.
Current Craft Wise sessions are held:
Contact the club before your first session to confirm availability and what equipment or materials you should bring.
Book Wise is a friendly, low-pressure monthly book club. It is intended to encourage people to read more, explore different genres and enjoy discussing books without creating the atmosphere of an academic seminar.
The group chooses an accessible book each month before meeting for conversation, refreshments and a vote on its next read. Members are still welcome if they have only finished part of the book.
Book Wise meets on the last Friday of each month from 7pm-8.30pm. Participants should bring their own printed or electronic copy of the chosen book.
One of the club’s most distinctive features is its collection of more than 80 optional award pins.
Challenges are available across categories including:
Each award involves completing a series of actions. Successful challenges are recognised with a certificate, handbook sticker and award pin.
The awards are optional, so members can participate in the social groups without feeling pressured to complete every challenge.
Pinners also holds occasional wellbeing and craft workshops.
These can be open to non-members, although existing club members may receive priority booking. Workshop subjects, dates and prices vary, so check the website, online booking page or hub noticeboard for current information.
The current Pinners joining fee is £10, with regular club sessions costing £5 per visit.
The joining fee includes:
For Book Wise, the first visit currently costs £15, combining the £10 joining fee and £5 session charge. Subsequent monthly sessions cost £5, with tea and coffee included.
Workshop costs may differ from regular club sessions.
Pinners Award Club may suit adults looking for:
No previous experience is required for Craft Wise or Book Wise.
Advance booking is recommended because spaces can be limited.
Use the club’s online booking system or text Susie on 07794 994014 to check availability and ask which session would be most suitable.
New members should mention that it will be their first visit so the club can explain the joining fee and what to expect.
Detailed accessibility information is not currently published on the Pinners Award Club website.
Anyone requiring step-free access, accessible toilet facilities, nearby parking or additional support should contact the club before booking.
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