How working together as a community is the key to combating loneliness among young people

Loneliness is a problem for all age groups in the Sid Valley and is a priority for Sid Valley HELP.

There is no single activity or organisation that can solve loneliness on their own, but we can begin by working together as a community. Sid Valley HELP is starting a range of free new services to combat loneliness and isolation.

There is currently little support in Sidmouth for people who are lonely and under 60 years of age. These may be people who live alone, who are recently bereaved or separated, who have few friends, have recently moved here, have a long term illness or a disability or who have maybe lost their confidence to go out and meet people. Sid Valley HELP's new services include:

• A new Befriending Service visiting people at home who are housebound or isolated due to illness, disability or other reasons that stop them going out and being involved socially. Volunteers will spend about an hour once a week or once a fortnight meeting up with people in their home for a chat. If you would like someone to visit you at home on a regular basis, then contact Di on 07780 816890 to find out more.

• A weekly New Mums group begins on May 13 from 1 - 3pm at Stowford Children's Centre. If you have a baby from new born up to 12 months old, then come along to have a cuppa with others and share experiences. The group will be supported by volunteers who will help run the session and make tea!

• Fortnightly 'Tea and Chat' sessions are held at the Mustard Seed cafe on Thursday afternoons. If you would like to share a cup of tea and conversation with people in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere then come along between 3 and 4pm on May 16, May 30, June 13, June 27, July 11 and July 25. All are welcome to drop in and free tea or coffee will be provided.

• From June 1 monthly Saturday coffee mornings will be offered for young at heart ladies of 50 - 70 years of age from 10.30am - 12.30pm at Hotel Elizabeth. If you still work or are recently retired and do not have a social network in the town, then come along. There is no agenda, just a coffee, chat and a laugh!

We need more volunteers for a range of activities as well as those who would like to work with younger age groups or spend about an hour once a week or once a fortnight meeting up with people in their home for a chat. In addition, if you know of people who you think are lonely tell them about what is on offer or contact us and tell us what other sort of support they might like.

Please support Sid Valley HELP to raise money to provide help for the lonely and socially isolated. Donation information is available on our website www.sidvalleyhelp.org.uk

Sid Valley HELP's Signposting service provides free and confidential information and advice on health and care support services for Sid Valley residents who are ill, lonely or in life changing circumstances.

Phone us on 01395 892011 or 07378 964521, go to the website or come in to the Leigh Brown Room, Dissenters Chapel on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am - 12pm.

Image courtesy of the Sid Valley HELP website.

Written by Di Fuller, Chair of Trustees for Sid Valley HELP.