A group tackling loneliness and isolation at Fulmerston Church, on the Barnham Cross Estate in Thetford, celebrated its tenth anniversary this month.
The Meeting Place was originally established in 2016 as a collaboration between church members and the Royal Voluntary Service. The group meets fortnightly on Wednesdays from 2-4pm, with tea, cake and activities.
The group was later taken over by the church and is now part of a rolling timetable of activity groups, including a coffee morning, an arts and crafts club, and the Life is For Living exercise group.
One member, Isabelle, originally joined the group with her husband, who has since passed away.
“The group has been a big support since losing Mark,” she said. “I look forward to each group, it gets me out on a Wednesday. I also joined the church, and have met a friend who’s introduced me to another group too.”
“As a church, we’re here to bless the community, and it’s really important to keep that central to the work we do,” said Tim Lovejoy, Church Mission & Development Advisor at Fulmerston Church.
“When you’re small, it takes a lot to get something going, but we had the energy. We feel privileged to see people increase in confidence, take the lead, and blossom in their own right. This is a place where people can come together and connect, and you can do a lot when you work together.”
Members of The Meeting Place, new and old, attended a special 10th anniversary party at the group on Wednesday 20th May.
The group asks for a contribution of £1 per session and is open to residents aged 50+ on the Barnham Cross and St John’s estates.
To find out more, call the church office on 01842 763241.
