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Woolston Friendship Club set up to help combat loneliness
| Published: 1st July 2022 14:38 |
A WEEKLY friendship club in Woolston in Southampton has been set up to help combat loneliness and bring generations together (July 2022).
The club is run by St Patrick’s Church and St Patrick’s School in partnership with Communicare and runs every Wednesday from 10.30am-11.30am at St Patrick’s Church Hall.
Tricia Kenyon, Service Development Officer at Communicare, which helps vulnerable and isolated people, said: “We are so thrilled to have joined forces with St Patrick’s Church and St Patrick’s School to create a weekly friendship club, to help bring the older and younger generations together.
“During the weekly meet ups, they can enjoy cake, friendship and laughter together and we have already had lots of feedback from those who have attended some of our first sessions, saying how much they enjoyed it.
“The aim of the club is to help reduce loneliness and isolation in Southampton and plug the widening gap between the generations. It’s great for youngsters from the school to meet older folk and gain wisdom and a different perspective on life. It’s also beneficial for older people to connect with youngsters and learn new things.”
Anyone is welcome to attend and turn up during term time on a Wednesday at 10.30am.
Father Ross Bullock, Parish Priest of the Parishes of Woolston and Netley, said: “It’s wonderful that we are able to offer the Woolston Friendship Club at this time, particularly as we come out of the pandemic, where the making of new social connections in a safe space is so important.”
Communicare, which is a friendly, neighbourhood charity, provides services that enrich the lives of lonely and isolated people in and around Southampton.
Its services are staffed by its devoted volunteers, known as Communiteers, who give their time freely.
Jim King, who is a regular attendee at the club, said: “It’s fantastic! The boys were shy at first, but then I told them all about when I was a bus driver, and we had a great chat together.”
The charity is currently supporting more than 600 individuals/families through tasks including one-to-one telephone befriending and transport for essential appointments and assistance with shopping.
Communicare assists with trips to lunch clubs, social events and activities to help beat isolation and loneliness too.
The services Communicare provides are free to users, although beneficiaries are invited to make a donation if they are able to, and Communiteers are offered expenses.
To find out more about Communicare, please visit www.communicareinsouthampton.org.uk or call 023 8250 0050.
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