Friendship groups for the over 50s have proved so popular in South Holland that a new one is opening in Donington.
There are already four of the friendships groups held by Age UK Lincoln and South Lincolnshire, in Holbeach and three in Spalding.
The new club launched at The Ruby Hunt Centre, Church Street, on the first and third Fridays of every month from 10am to 12pm. It’s free of charge to attend.
“The main focus and aim of all of our groups is to bring people together, listen to what they want, and try to provide that within our community,” said Age UK Lincolnshire and South Holland’s Claire Seabrook.
“Loneliness and isolation is horrendous, and we want to do all we can to beat that, and be there to help people make new friends, get a support network around them, as well as keep fit and active for as long as possible.
“I have seen first hand the difference that these groups can make to people, and love to watch the friendships bloom.
“We have people from all backgrounds come to the groups, some recently widowed and wanting to make those tentative first steps out on their own. Some new to the area and not knowing what to do or where to go for help, support and advice, and others just looking for ways to make new connections.
“We have between 15 and 20 people attending most groups, and would love to welcome more people along to join in the fun.”
Several of the other sessions in the district are also free to attend.
They include the Lime Court Friends group, Spalding, from 10am to 12pm on the second Tuesday of the month at the community centre.
It also launched a new ‘Movie Mornings’ event earlier this month.
There’s a Happy Amblers Walking group which meets outside The Co-Op on Fleet Street, Holbeach, at 10am for a gentle stroll.
The Holbeach PositiviTEA sessions are also free on the first Friday of the month at Caffe Aurora from 3pm to 4pm.
The Holbeach Friendship Group runs on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month from 10am to 12pm at Holbeach WI Hall. It is £5 to attend and is also dementia friendly.
There is also Stroll and Say classes for those wishing to learn a 50s-style line dance on the second and fourth Thursday of the month, from 2pm at the Holbeach WI Hall. Entry is £5.
In Spalding, a craft group meets at The Chappell Centre, Pinchbeck Road on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month from 10am to 1pm. It’s £2 with refreshments provided.
Another friendship group at Lime Court is held on the last Friday of the month, 10.15am to 12.15pm. It’s dementia friendly and £4 to attend.
