GREAT-gran Jean Dyer used to feel lonely, sitting at home watching her neighbours from her window.

But thanks to the work of a local charity, the 73-year-old from Greater Leys, Oxford, says she now feels happier than ever.

The Leys CDI Clockhouse Project organises activities for older people on the estate and is now looking for members for its latest venture – a weekly games club.

The group meets on Monday mornings for board games and more importantly, a chat with friends.

Ms Dyer, who uses a wheelchair to get around, said: “When my friend died a few years ago, I just felt so lonely.

“I’d see my neighbours all sitting in their gardens and there was me, sitting on my own.

“Then I had a break-in. Some boys took £200 from me and I was shaking every time I heard a noise.”

To get away from her problems in East Oxford, Ms Dyer moved to Greater Leys to be nearer her brother, Eric.

Then she started going to activities at the Clockhouse and says that she has never looked back.

She said: “It’s all about meeting up with friends and making new friends.

“When you’re on your own in a flat you always want to get out and meet people, and everyone’s lovely round here.

“Everyone says the Leys is trouble but it’s not. I’ve never met anyone here who’s nasty.

“Things like the games club make such a difference. I don’t like going out at night very much because I can’t breathe if I can’t see around me. But I’m alright in the day, so the Clockhouse is perfect for me.”

The over-50s games club currently runs from 10.30am until 12.30pm every Monday at the Clockhouse in Long Ground. After a two week-Easter break, it will switch to Monday afternoons from April 16.

Each session costs £1 and includes a hot drink, biscuit and fruit.

Project development worker Sally Meachim said: “At the moment, the games club is quite a small group because a few people have dropped out with health issues.

“But in our consultations with the community, this was something that proved most popular.

“We want to highlight the social aspect of this as much as the activity itself.”

For more information about Leys CDI Clockhouse, call 01865 395908.