Success for community group that aims to tackle isolation amongst the elderly

A community group set up in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester, which helps elderly residents has gained wide support in 2015 and is hoping to encourage even more faces in the New Year.

Organised by Cherella Young, Friendly Faces offers retirees a welcoming environment to catch up with friends and meet new people in the area.

Aside from providing social outreach in the community, Friendly Faces helps those with reduced mobility to source the specialist equipment they need. Ms Young herself was inspired to start up the group after meeting many isolated pensioners in her previous job selling mobility aids.

She explains: “That got me thinking and wishing that I could do something about it. We are all about trying to get people out of the house and feeling like a part of the community again.”

Recognising the need for an inclusive group for over 65s, Friendly Faces organises activities such as bingo and dog walks to help older people regain their independence and lead a more active life in retirement. The group also looks to provide information, whether to help members find the stairlift solutions to meet their individual needs or budgeting advice in the home.

Member numbers have grown since the group started in August 2015 and, in the last six months, Friendly Faces has received support from several organisations including Radcliffe Carnival and the ROC Centre.

Building on its success in the first year, Friendly Faces aims to welcome more residents in 2016. Ms Young adds: “The organisation has gone really well so far. A lot of people turned up to our meeting last week and came armed with plenty of ideas.

“I have been really overwhelmed by the response, both from people who want to attend whatever events we can arrange and from local groups who are willing to support us and volunteer their help.”

Kicking off what they hope will be another promising year, Friendly Faces held its first weekly meeting of 2016 and will continue to do so every Wednesday at Radcliffe Borough FC where there’s always a warm welcome and plenty of empty chairs for the elderly in the community to occupy.

Image Credit: Bromford (flickr.com)