Funds from Frome Lions will help isolated people stay active and in touch

ACTIVE and In Touch Frome is delighted to announce funding from the Frome Lions Club to support the charity’s work with isolated people.

A cheque for £500 was donated by the Frome Lions Club to the charity at the new activity café for Active and In Touch members at The Bridge on Tuesday 18th June.

Lucia Chadwick, Active and In Touch coordinator stated, “This money will help us to reach out to more people in our community and support them in getting back in touch with the community around them.

“The donation has been put to immediate use by helping us to fund our new Active and In Touch café.  The café is open every Tuesday at the Bridge for our members to come along, meet other members and volunteers, and to take part in a number of different fun activities.

“The other week we held a healthy food cookery club called ‘Improve With Food’.  Members were provided with lots of practical advice about healthy eating and ideas on what to cook and buy on a budget.

“A number of our members suffer from depression and anxiety issues, and we showed them a variety of foods that can help lift their mood.  Then we all helped to cook a quick, easy and delicious dish and, afterwards, we sat down and ate what we had cooked together.  We all had a lovely time chatting, laughing, learning and sharing a meal together.

“A few of our members find joining a group, or mixing with other people, difficult.  At the Bridge café, accompanied by their volunteer befrienders, they are able to come to a safe, friendly place where they immediately feel secure and comfortable.”

Chris Bailey Green, Frome Lions chairman stated, “We are delighted to help support this very worthwhile Frome charity.”

On Tuesday 18th June the group visited Welshmill Allotments, thanks to the Frome Allotments Society, and took part in a ‘Grow your Own’ session led by their outreach worker, Steve Neal.

Active & In Touch Frome offers a flexible volunteer service.  The volunteers meet people and spend time with them, find out their needs and interests, and help them to find their own place in the community.

Anyone who feels they might like to volunteer their time to help others or who may know someone who might benefit from this support can call Lucia Chadwick on 01373 467946 / 07572 854029 or send an email to activein touch@vistaproject.org.uk.

Above: Active and In Touch coordinator Lucia Chadwick is presented with a cheque for £500 from Frome Lions Club president, Chris Bailey Green, outside the Bridge cafe with Active and In Touch members and volunteers. Left to right: John Simpson, Esme Stean, Charles Wood, Lucia Chadwick, Chris Bailey Green, Jenny Hailstone, Kimberley de la Zerda Hoffmann, Anne Hardy, Theresa Chrisholm and Valerie Hibberd.