With a name like the Rotary Bromley Game Changers, it’s evident that this group of Rotarians in south-east London and situated on the border of Kent are decidedly different.

Nolene Harris is the club’s founding President, whose journey began in South Africa and ended up in the London borough of Bromley via Lancashire, now in Beckenham, which got her into Rotary.

It was while Nolene was President of what might be described as a traditional club in 2019/20 that she decided to start a satellite group to move away from some of the traditions of Rotary and present a more modernised club.

With eight new members, the satellite group was registered, and they began a series of community projects, including volunteering during Covid, and fund-raising for Ukraine by holding a Games evening. Then on March 29, 2023, the Rotary Bromley Game Changers chartered.

“We worked incredibly hard to get enough members to charter. This was not easy because, at the time, we needed 20 members,” explained Nolene.

“But we chartered with 16 new-to-Rotary members and, including myself, there were three members from my main club who had accessibility issues so they asked to transfer to the satellite club.

“Our average age was late 50s upon charter, with 13 ladies and seven men. The main reason we were able to get members is that we are a modern, fresh club; inclusive, diverse, accessible and flexible.”

An illustration is that the club’s next President is Mitushi Gandhi, who was born in 1992, and the treasurer will be Vinay Kumar, who was born in 1986. “This is the future,” stated Nolene.

Since chartering, the Rotary Bromley Game Changers has become a pivotal part of their community. The club’s name reflects the diverse, inclusive and flexible way it is run.

Nolene explained that everyone can play a part in the Rotary’s club work. Their wheelchair users and some immobile members hold important roles and help at community events. She highlighted one member who has struggled with mental health issues but who has found Rotary rewarding. They are strong and helpful with erecting marquees and moving heavy ShelterBox boxes which has helped hugely with the feelings of value and contribution.

They were contacted by the Primary Care Network which looks after a group of doctors’ surgeries asking if the club would help them to open a wellbeing café which is held every month.

In 2019, Nolene started a project to help try mitigate loneliness. “We call it Meet-Up Mondays, and this has been incredibly successful,” explained Nolene.

“We meet in different cafés in Bromley each Monday where many people come along for a chat and some company. From this we have also gained some members or referred them to other local Rotary clubs.” The café is advertised at doctors’ surgeries on the electronic boards, and by their social prescribers.

Nolene said flexibility was a key goal for the club. “We have a business meeting once a month – one month on Thursday evening at 7.30pm and the next month on a Saturday morning at 11am,” she added. “We feel we can then accommodate our members’ different lifestyles.

“We meet at different times and different days to accommodate a diverse range of members, as well increasing accessibility by offering zoom attendance. Our venues are also accessible to all.

“We have a WhatsApp group, enabling us to discuss anything at any time and to ensure visibility of communications. Based on the members’ preferences we do not have meals as a way to effectively manage expenses, making this club more affordable to all.

“We arrange social gatherings and of course meet at our projects – some are weekly.”

The club is very brand aware, and they wear their Rotary t-shirts to ensure their name is known in the community.

Nolene added: “More and more organisations are contacting us to do collaborations. We recently helped at an event run by the council who look after young-carers. They have since asked us to help for three days in August holidays, running games for the families they look after.

“We have a quiz planned to raise matched funds for a grant received in aid of Bromley & Croydon Woman’s Aid.

“And I regularly attend business networking meetings to try get new members. I am constantly seeking out prospective members.”

Find Bromley Game Changers on Facebook.