Active and In Touch, the local charity which seeks to alleviate isolation and loneliness experienced by local people, has given an award to Frome Times for its support over the past ten years.
2021 sees Active and In Touch celebrate its tenth anniversary, and it has made an award of a supporters’ plaque to Frome Times for its help in spreading the news of the charity’s work during that time.
On behalf of A&IT, administration volunteer Patricia Baker handed the plaque to Ian Drew, editor, to express a heartfelt ‘thank you’. Also present was Dougie Brown, A&IT’s director of service who thanked Ian for the work of the paper in ensuring A&IT’s voice and work was heard and understood in Frome and the wider locality.
“This was a real surprise,” said Ian, “but I think it should be the other way round – us thanking Active and In Touch for all the fantastic work they do in the community. Their plaque will take pride of place in the office.”
The award was very much a case of role reversal as Active and In Touch were Frome Times’ Group of the Year last year.
Prior to the covid pandemic, volunteers visited members in their homes or other venues, weekly meetings took place, shopping was undertaken and regular annual activities occurred.
Since March 2020, the emphasis has been on regular phone calls to members, with outside meetings when regulations allowed, accessing food and prescriptions and taking members to medical appointments via Frome Community Drivers.
In 2020 – 2021, Active and In Touch made approximately 8,000 personal phone calls with 7,000 one-to-one befriending sessions.
If you would like to become a volunteer or find out more about A&IT please visit the website: www.activeandintouch.org/
Similarly if you have a couple of hours a week to spare and are interested in finding out more about becoming a driver please contact hello@fromecommunitydrivers.org.uk or 07596 591391 to find out more details.
