A CARE teamed up with a service to bring lonely people together.

Reconnections is a local service working in partnership with Herefordshire and Worcestershire Age UK, tackling loneliness and isolation in older people. They connect over 50’s via a referral with people, places and activities in Worcestershire. Reconnections Officer John Whittall and Cavendish Park Customer Relations Manager, Mel Hoskins have been planning and co-ordinating for several weeks, and this week finally brought the very first ‘Connect With Cavendish Coffee Morning’.

Mel and Maintenance Manager Andy Hewitt set off on a road trip around and about Evesham to collect reconnections clients in Cavendish Park’s shiny, new mini-bus and bring them to the home, where John was waiting eagerly to welcome the VIPs.

Beryl, Ruth, Betty, Graham, David and Margaret spent a wonderful couple of hours, sampling the coffee and cake and getting to know each other and some of the residents. They were then treated to a tour of the home before being chauffeured back, happy and contented, having made some new friends.

For some clients of reconnections, many of whom have been isolated and alone for some time, something like this is a huge step on the way to re-engaging with people and the community. It takes a fair bit of support and a lot of courage to make that step.

It was agreed by all, that the morning had been a resounding success and will now become a fortnightly event, with plans to introduce a cinema club too.