Active and in touch Frome received a cheque for £2,000 for their volunteer befriending service from the Somerset Freemasons in Frome.
Members of the Somerset Masonic Charity and Royal Somerset Lodge, based in Frome, visited the Active Tuesday group at The Cornerhouse on Tuesday 18th September to present the group of volunteers and befrienders with their generous donation that will be used to help reach out to people in our community who are suffering from isolation and loneliness.
At the cheque presentation David Maddern, provincial charity steward said, “We are pleased to support this fantastic charity and their work to help people in our community. The work your volunteers do for the community was very much admired by the local lodges and we were pleased to see that there is this support available in the town.”
The Active Tuesday group meet once a month at The Cornerhouse in Frome where all attendees are treated to free homemade cakes, tea and coffee. Anyone who is affected by loneliness is invited to attend the group, just turn up between 11am – 1pm. The next visit will be on Tuesday 30th October 2018.
Active and In Touch Frome is a group of local volunteers who are available to visit, talk with, and gently support people with getting involved in groups or activities. They say, “Our volunteers visit, help and befriend people who have become isolated or out of touch with the community around them. The people we support have become isolated and lonely through the circumstances life has thrown at them, maybe caring for a partner for years, moving to a new area, or just not feeling confident to try new things alone.”
Lucia Chadwick, project coordinator said, “Active and In Touch volunteer befrienders spend time with those who wish to use our services, find out their needs and interests, and help them to find their own place in the community.
“Over the last six years, many different people have been helped by the befrienders, in many different ways and for many different reasons. Currently, the project has around 70 active volunteers, helping to support people in Frome and the surrounding villages. Our youngest member is 23 and the oldest member is 99! Since the project first began, our wonderful volunteers have helped change the lives of well over 300 vulnerable, isolated, lonely people in our 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 or Di Roberts on 07572 854029/ 07468 859453, call CSW You Can Do on 01278 664 180, visit the CSW You Can Do website on cswyoucando.co.uk or send an email to [email protected] or [email protected].