A new Friendship Café in Stow-on-the-Wold aims to combat loneliness and isolation over a cuppa.
Brio Retirement Living have teamed up with charity Cotswold Friends to help older and isolated people make new friends. On Tuesday 7th March, together we will host the first of their twice-monthly ‘Friendship Café’ drop-in events at Beechwood Park.
Drop in for a chat...
It will be an opportunity to meet new people, have a friendly chat, and take part in activities, reading and crafts.
Cotswold Friends volunteers and will be waiting with a friendly smile - and tea, coffee and cake is included in the entry donation of just £2.
The aim is to help older and vulnerable people who may feel isolated to make new connections in their community.
The Friendship Café will take place between 10.30am and 12pm on the first and third Tuesday each month.
The most recent Census data shows that loneliness has soared, with the Cotswolds having the highest concentration of over 65-year-olds who live alone in Gloucestershire.
The 2021 data shows that there are almost 40,000 pensioners who live on their own in the county.
Cotswold Friends’ mission is to combat loneliness and isolation and the Friendship Café is the charity’s latest initiative to create a regular opportunity to meet new people and make friends.
The charity approached Brio Retirement Living about working together to co-host the event, with the support of Cotswold Friends volunteers, in a bid to ease isolation.
Both organisations are looking forward to the launch of the new Friendship Café, which will offer a safe, friendly, and welcoming environment.
For more details call 01451 885453 or 01608 651115
Jo Hammond, CEO of Cotswold Friends, said: “We hope the Friendship Café will encourage people to chat and get to know others in their local area, as we know there is a great need for these opportunities for older and vulnerable people in the North Cotswolds.
“We’re really looking forward to seeing people making more friends in their local community, so they feel less lonely and anxious. Our volunteers will be on hand to support people, so please do drop in and have a cuppa.”
Cotswold Friends is a charity that helps and supports older and vulnerable people. It runs several services in the North Cotswolds, including Befriending, Carer Support and Community Activities, and has a Community Transport service that also covers Cirencester. The charity aims to combat loneliness and isolation, running voluntary services to improve health and wellbeing and support independent living.
Brio Beechwood Park is our beautiful community in the pretty market town of Stow.
Located just a few minutes’ walk from the town, Beechwood Park features 106 homes, with a range of exciting facilities, including a wellness suite, our exclusive Slate & Grain brasserie, bar and coffee lounge, a community hub, roof terrace and much more.
Discover Beechwood Park