Charity get together to tackle loneliness
A charity has teamed up with a national retailer to host a Great Get Together as part of a campaign to help tackle loneliness.
Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin estimates that 10,000 older people in Shropshire feel lonely, and with a combination of the winter season, Christmas and New Year, emotions for some can be at an all-time low.
It plans to lift their spirits and has invited older people to attend the next Great Get Together on Wednesday from 3pm to 5pm at the M&S in Shrewsbury.
Heather Osborne, chief executive of Age UK Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, said: “Sadly, feeling lonely and isolated is all too often something that many older people feel.
"The Great Get Together is a fantastic way to celebrate our wonderful neighbourhoods and communities by bringing people together so they can create new links and friendships.”
Delighted
The staff in the cafe will be on hand to offer free refills of tea and coffee plus free biscuits.
Rachel Williams, M&S manager for Shrewsbury, said: “We are delighted to be hosting another Great Get Together for older people in Shrewsbury.
"Our cafe is always a good place for meeting friends in a warm and friendly environment and is a great way to encourage socialising within our community.
"We’re really looking forward to seeing some of our regular customers at The Great Get Together, as well as some new faces.”
Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin would like to expand their Great Get Together events across Shropshire and encourage local cafes to join in to host their own event for older people in their area.
For more information about the event or how to host your own, contact Age UK STW on 01743 233123.
