Companionship can help keep you active
Winter can be an unnerving time for anyone, but especially those who are elderly and most vulnerable. The prospect of being housebound if the bad weather strikes is never a calming thought. However, help is at hand thanks to various groups and community centres across the borough who are available to keep people socially active while tackling isolation. Health reporter KATIE BLACKBURN finds out more...
AWIDOW is singing the praises of a nearby social group that will provide her with activities throughout winter.
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FRIENDSHIP AND FUN: The Friendship At Home manager Julie Rigby, centre, with members Joyce Charlton, left, and Pat Smith at Beaconthorpe Church Hall.
Joyce Charlton, of Cleethorpes, recalls being cooped up at home each day after the death of her husband in 2007, only having regular visits from her carer.
However, after hearing about two organisations – the Curzon Centre, Coulbeck Drive, Cleethorpes, and the Friendship At Home group – four years ago, her life was turned around.
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Meeting new people each week while joining in with a range of activities is what Joyce describes as "perfect".
The 84-year-old said: "I have something to look forward to every Tuesday and Thursday, which is a great feeling.
"I get involved with bingo, arts and crafts, colouring and more.
"The best part about both social groups is that the staff provide transport to come and collect me and bring me home."
Joyce has fallen in the past so now fears going out on her own in case it happens again.
She said: "Winter time is especially difficult with the bad weather making the pavements slippery.
"If it was not for these social clubs I would be housebound with no one to share any company with."
Julie Rigby, manager of Friendship At Home, has advice for the perfect present to give to grandparents and elderly relatives this Christmas.
She said: "It is all about being able to give quality time to someone.
"I don't just mean an hour because you have to, but a day spent with an elderly person who is on their own can prove invaluable.
"Having some company can help to tackle that feeling of isolation and loneliness and could even prevent later health issues, such as depression, from occurring."
To find details of your nearest community centre, see page 8.
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