Cyril Flint invite the elderly in Salford to their monthly Cuppa and Company event for an afternoon of tea and conversation.
The charity, which covers the whole of Greater Manchester, offers a befriending service to elderly people.
Alison Mckenna, charity coordinator, said: “we want to make local connections with people, get people out and about.
“Also its chance for volunteers to meet different people and share their stories.
“For somebody to admit they are feeling lonely it is quite a brave thing to do.
“As you get older you’re not as confident, it does become harder, people don’t go out and socialise.
“Salford is a very diverse city, people do become isolated, we currently have 90 people matched up.”
Do you live in #Salford and fancy meeting some new people? Why not come along to our free Cuppa&Company event, 1st Friday of each month. Tea, cakes and company will all be provided! #loneliness #community #befriending #olderpeople pic.twitter.com/py00WHfBBP
— CyrilFlintBefriender (@CyrilFlint) November 30, 2018
Louise Burrows is a Cyril Flint volunteer and attends the monthly afternoon tea event.
She said: “I moved to Salford, I didn’t know anybody, I saw a flyer in Salford library and just applied and I’ve really enjoyed it since.
“I see two ladies once a week and we are going for Christmas lunch.
“Once you build up a relationship with people you enjoy seeing them in they start to become part of your life.”
Cyril flint was set up in 2010 as a local befriending scheme. He was a gentle man from Sale and had spent 23 Christmas’ on his own after wife has passed.
After one of his carers flagged this up, people wanted to invite him for Christmas dinner and an informal befriending scheme was developed.
Their befriending service is ran by volunteers who will spend an hour a week with someone.
Through this, the charity hope to reduce social isolation for older people in the local community.
Alongside this, they hold events as an opportunity to bring communities together and help tackle loneliness.
Cyril Flint’s next event is their annual Christmas party on December 18.
Alison said: “Sadly it’s a very family oriented time of year and not everyone has their family.
“Christmas time touches people’s hearts.”
Cuppa and Company is held at The Angel Centre in Salford from 1pm to 3pm, the first Friday of each month.
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