Open afternoon and weekly coffee mornings starting in mid-May
A new volunteer service offering friendship and support to older people in North and South Kelsey and the surrounding villages will be launched on Sunday 12 May, with a special Open Afternoon taking place at North Kelsey village hall from 2.30-4pm.
The befriending service is an extension of the ‘Caistor Cares’ voluntary organisation that was set up in 2016 to help older people in the Lincolnshire town and neighbouring villages who were feeling isolated and lonely, and unable to get out as much as they used to. The success of this volunteer community group – with its established befriending service, weekly social events and annual parties – has created a demand for extra support for senior citizens living further afield from Caistor, hence the establishing of this new ‘Kelsey Cares’ group.
“Having seen at first hand the friendly and caring service that Caistor Cares volunteers provide for the benefit of the town’s elderly residents, we wanted to offer a similar service in ‘the Kelseys’,” says new coordinator for Kelsey Cares, Jill Commander. “We thought that an Open Afternoon would be the best way for people to initially come along and find out how we can help them to connect with others in the area, make new friends and perhaps even regain lost confidence.
“We have booked the village hall in North Kelsey for the afternoon of Sunday 12 May and encourage all those over the age of 60 to come along from 2.30pm and enjoy complementary tea, coffee and cake, while finding out more about how our new and free befriending could help them feel less isolated and lonely. They can also find out more details about our free weekly coffee mornings, which will also be taking place in North Kelsey village hall every Friday from 10-11am, starting from 17 May.”
A number of volunteers have already expressed an interest in becoming ‘befrienders’, who will receive the necessary training and checks before being matched with ‘members’ (Kelsey senior citizens) whom they will then visit on a regular basis for conversation, company and support. Anyone who is interested in considering becoming a volunteer is also most welcome to come along to the Open Afternoon and find out more details.
For more information about the new Kelsey Cares befriending service and the forthcoming social events at the village hall, please visit www.kelseycares.org.uk or telephone Jill Commander on 01652 679119.