ACTIVE and In Touch (A&IT) has had a challenging but fruitful year. Since January our new director, Lisa Cooke, has overseen a number of exciting developments, including the relocation of the office to Christchurch Street West, where its attractive shop-front window, a pop-up book shop and an open-door policy welcomes all.
There has also been the employment of additional staff, thus enabling our co-ordinators to spend valuable additional time with people in our community who are lonely or isolated by circumstance.
Reaching out even further into the community, A&IT has partnered with Frome Medical Practice and Assura opening a welcoming community café on the Frome Medical Centre site, providing not only wonderful food but also creating a friendly community hub for patients, staff, A&IT members, volunteers and Frome residents. A&IT drivers continue to provide their welcome service taking people to medical appointments and other destinations.
During the course of 2023, we have been supported by and worked with many people and organisations including Brendan Lynch, a former runner up in The Great British Bake off who has organised wonderful fundraising events; the town council on warm spaces and community events; the Merlin Theatre for theatre events; Single Mothers’ Group; Trinity and St Catharine’s churches; Purple Elephant – a family support group for baby loss; Mells Walled Gardens which addresses the health benefits of therapeutic horticulture and The Cornerhouse pub which organises monthly quiz nights open to the community with proceeds going to A&IT. Our sincere thanks to them and many others who have given support throughout the year.
There are exciting and ongoing plans to maintain and increase opportunities for those who are feeling isolated but sadly, as experienced by many charities in the current economic situation, there is a shortage of volunteers which proves difficult for our 1:1 befriending service and the additional support required by groups and the café.
Please do contact A&IT on 07539 795261, visit the office or e-mail: enquiries@activeandintouch.org if you feel you have a few hours to spare and would like to find out more about volunteering for A&IT.