A weekly, Ruddington coffee club which helps to reduce loneliness and social isolation amongst over 55s, has received support from a ‘Reach Rushcliffe’ grant, enabling the group to grow and flourish.
Older villagers are invited to meet new people and enjoy refreshments in a relaxed and friendly setting at the ‘Wednesday Morning Coffee Club’ in St Peter’s Rooms – which also provides a warm space to vulnerable residents in a safe environment. It takes place every week between 10am and midday and anyone aged 55 and above is welcome to walk in and make a voluntary donation of £1 to join in.
Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC)’s ‘Reach Rushcliffe’ initiative specifically aims to tackle loneliness and social isolation by supporting local projects. Coffee club organisers Gwen Eyre and Carol Jaggers are the latest in Ruddington to receive this special grant, which contributes to venue hire and tea and coffee costs for throughout the year. Their other main village project, The Ruddington Pantry, has received similar funding.
RBC’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Communities and Climate Change, Cllr Abby Brennan {pictured top with Carol & Gwen}, attended the coffee club to see for herself how it supports local residents and provides a warm space for people to socialise.
“This club has become a staple group within with Ruddington community and is making a positive difference to people’s lives by reducing loneliness and isolation” says Cllr Brennan. “There is a friendly and warming atmosphere at these sessions and with smiles across the room you can tell that people enjoy spending time here and catching up with each other. The volunteers welcome new and familiar faces each week and they do a fantastic job running the coffee club by greeting members, making all the hot drinks and providing cakes, biscuits and other delicious treats.”
Gwen agrees: “We love hosting the Wednesday Morning Coffee Club and it’s a pleasure to welcome over 55s to St Peter’s Rooms and provide a social and warm space for everyone to come together. Our aim is to help alleviate loneliness, isolation and help with people’s wellbeing. The group is popular with older and disabled residents who enjoy coming here to socialise and meet other people in the local area. The funding from ‘Reach Rushcliffe’ has helped to cover some of the venue hire and supplies which has helped to keep the coffee club going.”
With over 30 attendees now meeting up every Wednesday, Gwen adds: “We restarted this coffee club in September 2021, after it stopped during the first COVID-19 ‘lockdown’. It’s inspiring to see how far we’ve come since then and it’s proving to be very popular each week!”
RBC is continuing to invite local groups and organisations to put forward proposals for setting up, sustaining or expanding projects that take innovative approaches to tackling loneliness in Ruddington and the wider Borough. You can find out more about applying for ‘Reach Rushcliffe’ funding >>HERE<<.
