A Posh Day in the Life

The Posh Club in Hackney is home to swanky seniors, elegant elders and glamorous golden girls. It provides guests with an opportunity to dance, dress up, meet people in their area and watch a range of amazing performances including alternative-ballet dancers, Elton John impersonators and drag kings.

This photo essay, undertaken by Ysabel Vitangcol, Lucy Young and Luka “Han” Pan from University of the Arts London, aims to demonstrate the full experience of The Posh Club in all its finery.

The photos hope to capture every pearl and jewel and present a portrait of both the exquisite guests and the incredible volunteers who are the backbone of The Posh Club.

The calm before the storm - ready for another day to party
The calm before the storm - ready for another day to party
Leader of the Hackney branch, Posh T briefs new volunteers on how it's done
Leader of the Hackney branch, Posh T briefs new volunteers on how it's done
Guests are always in for a warm welcome
Guests are always in for a warm welcome
Posh Club guests come from all over London, whatever the weather
Posh Club guests come from all over London, whatever the weather
"You can't feel down when you come here"
"You can't feel down when you come here"
Guests arrive early to reserve tables with their friends
Guests arrive early to reserve tables with their friends
"I've grown to know people here because I come all the time"
"I've grown to know people here because I come all the time"
Fashion is timeless, so is the fun here at The Posh Club
Fashion is timeless, so is the fun here at The Posh Club
"This gives me a great opportunity to dress up"
"This gives me a great opportunity to dress up"
Even the volunteers dress to the nines
Even the volunteers dress to the nines
Pearls are The Posh Club's best friend
Pearls are The Posh Club's best friend
What could be more 'Posh' than a tea party?
What could be more 'Posh' than a tea party?
All smiles ...
All smiles ...
.. as he proudly wears his "Badge of Honor"
.. as he proudly wears his "Badge of Honor"
"My favorite part of the day is the rosé bubbly."
"My favorite part of the day is the rosé bubbly."
Party hat on
Party hat on
Jo comes here every week. "Only being in hospital can stop me from coming."
Jo comes here every week. "Only being in hospital can stop me from coming."
"... a few weeks ago I was released Wednesday morning and came straight here."
"... a few weeks ago I was released Wednesday morning and came straight here."
"I would be lost without The Posh Club."
"I would be lost without The Posh Club."
Guests like Jo even go state side to pick up their accessories
Guests like Jo even go state side to pick up their accessories
"The Posh Club makes me forget my worries."
"The Posh Club makes me forget my worries."
It's show time! Time to get the Acts together
It's show time! Time to get the Acts together
Every moment in The Posh Club is a story to tell - and record
Every moment in The Posh Club is a story to tell - and record
The Posh Club favorite Owen the Dancer's interpretation of Swan Lake...
The Posh Club favorite Owen the Dancer's interpretation of Swan Lake...
... while the audience witnesses his graceful transformation
... while the audience witnesses his graceful transformation
The Posh Club even brings in celebrities. Ping Wing is a famous old school Jamaican comedian who has started attending The Posh Club in the last few years.
The Posh Club even brings in celebrities. Ping Wing is a famous old school Jamaican comedian who has started attending The Posh Club in the last few years.
No set of dentures ..
No set of dentures ..
.. can prevent smiles at The Posh Club!
.. can prevent smiles at The Posh Club!
The Posh Club performers also include Drag Kings and Elvis impersonators
The Posh Club performers also include Drag Kings and Elvis impersonators
Volunteers love to have fun too
Volunteers love to have fun too
Guests are in for sweet treats ..
Guests are in for sweet treats ..
.. and volunteers are in for a sweet time
.. and volunteers are in for a sweet time
The volunteers perform their weekly tradition - the cake dance
The volunteers perform their weekly tradition - the cake dance
The cake dance is performed to Fats Walter's Hold Tight
The cake dance is performed to Fats Walter's Hold Tight
Volunteers have to be careful not to get into the song but sometimes do drop a few scones...
Volunteers have to be careful not to get into the song but sometimes do drop a few scones...
Posh Club cakes never fail to delight our guests
Posh Club cakes never fail to delight our guests
"This disco makes me feel like I'm 21 again."
"This disco makes me feel like I'm 21 again."
The Posh Club menu includes: sandwiches, fairy cakes, scones, brownies and pastries
The Posh Club menu includes: sandwiches, fairy cakes, scones, brownies and pastries
Part of a volunteer's duty is to also have fun
Part of a volunteer's duty is to also have fun
Who says you need to get up and dance to party?
Who says you need to get up and dance to party?
They're one big family at The Posh Club, they celebrate the birthdays and achievements of everyone!
They're one big family at The Posh Club, they celebrate the birthdays and achievements of everyone!
Cheers to The Posh Club!
Cheers to The Posh Club!
If you need help getting on the dance floor, that's what the volunteers are here for
If you need help getting on the dance floor, that's what the volunteers are here for
The guests love to dance...
The guests love to dance...
...so do the volunteers!
...so do the volunteers!
In between the acts, guests are encouraged to mingle and dance
In between the acts, guests are encouraged to mingle and dance
The Posh Club brings together people who have lived here for as long as 50 years and as short as 5 weeks
The Posh Club brings together people who have lived here for as long as 50 years and as short as 5 weeks
"This is the best party a church hall has ever held"
"This is the best party a church hall has ever held"
"If you're not prepared to enjoy yourself don't come."
"If you're not prepared to enjoy yourself don't come."
"The Posh Club provides me an escape from normality.."
"The Posh Club provides me an escape from normality.."
".. it also provides the social life that my care home lacks. I've been trying to convince more people to come here."
".. it also provides the social life that my care home lacks. I've been trying to convince more people to come here."
Ultimate Elton is a regular performer and also a crowd favourite
Ultimate Elton is a regular performer and also a crowd favourite
"It's always a pleasure to perform at The Posh Club," he says.
"It's always a pleasure to perform at The Posh Club," he says.
"The enthusiasm and passion that the whole Posh team create is infectious and not surprisingly guests always have a wonderful time. Long may it continue."
"The enthusiasm and passion that the whole Posh team create is infectious and not surprisingly guests always have a wonderful time. Long may it continue."
"The Posh Club keeps me alive and gives me an opportunity to dance"
"The Posh Club keeps me alive and gives me an opportunity to dance"
The day often ends with an encore and a conga line
The day often ends with an encore and a conga line
"Coming here is a good way to release loneliness, have fun and enjoy the company of new people"
"Coming here is a good way to release loneliness, have fun and enjoy the company of new people"
Many of the guests, like Sylvia, take several modes of transport to make it to The Posh Club
Many of the guests, like Sylvia, take several modes of transport to make it to The Posh Club
Sparks continue to fly at The Posh Club...
Sparks continue to fly at The Posh Club...
...even for long time married couples like Mike and Maureen
...even for long time married couples like Mike and Maureen
Margarita is a longstanding guest and has come to know many people here because she comes all the time.
Margarita is a longstanding guest and has come to know many people here because she comes all the time.
When the day is done the volunteers can pack up and relax with a glass of bubbly
When the day is done the volunteers can pack up and relax with a glass of bubbly