Mayor joins Active and In Touch volunteers to spread Christmas joy

Frome Mayor, Kate Bielby, joined Active and In Touch volunteers and beneficiaries to spread some Christmas cheer at their Special Christmas get-together at Christ-church Parish Hall on Tuesday 15th December.

Kate said, “It was a really lovely event.  We sang carols together, and were entertained by The Mendip Handbell ringers.  It was fantastic to see people making new friends, over a delicious hot dinner.”

Charles Wood, Chairman of Active and In Touch said, “Our annual Christmas party is a wonderful opportunity to bring people together, volunteers, beneficiaries and willing helpers alike, to enjoy each others company, with some delicious food, mulled wine, carols and other entertainment.

“The hard work of our amazing volunteers created a little Christmas magic for so many lovely people.  But it is all involved, as a membership organization, that adds something special to Active and In Touch, as demonstrated by the around 57 people who came along to the event to join in the festivities.

“Our volunteer befriending service provides people with a chance to just chat about things, introduce them to other things happening locally, help beneficiaries get around, and to enjoy specific visits to places of interest; all aimed at bringing some missing colour into their lives.  Our services are not complex, but such simple pleasures are big factors in sustaining both mental and physical wellbeing.”

Active and In Touch Frome is a Charitable Unincorporated Association, and is run in partnership with Somerset You Can Do who employ the project coordinator, register all the project’s volunteers and provide training and induction.

Active and In Touch volunteer befrienders spend time with those who wish to use their services, find out their needs and interests, and help them to find their own place in the community.  Over the last three years many different people have been helped by the befrienders, in many different ways and for many different reasons. Currently the project’s youngest member is 30 and the oldest member is 100.

Anyone who would like to volunteer their time to help others or who may know someone who might benefit from this support can call Lucia Chadwick or Di Roberts on 07572 854029/ 07468 859453, call Somerset You Can Do on 01278 664 180, visit somersetyoucando.com  or send an email to lucia.chadwick@somersetyoucando.org  or
activeandintouch@gmail.com

Active and In Touch Frome is also supported by Frome Town Council.  The group shares an office space with Fair Frome at the Frome Town Council, 5, Palmer Street, (BA11 1DS).  The office is now manned between 10.00am – 3.00pm, Monday to Thursday.