Silver Friends, an in-person social befriending programme in West Northumberland, has been praised by Local MP Joe Morris for supporting the mental health and wellbeing of older residents.
Joe popped into the Silver Friends’ Talking Stories group at Hexham Library, run by local housing association Karbon Homes, to find out how they help older and vulnerable people to overcome loneliness and isolation.
Talking Stories is a free group for people aged 50+. It gives attendees the chance to chat about the stories they’ve read or heard.
Joe said “It was lovely to meet such a friendly and welcoming group. It was a pleasure to talk to people like Dot and Caroline and find out about the stories that are currently inspiring them.
“The group is a great example of how getting out and socialising with others can be hugely beneficial for your mental health and wellbeing. It’s a chance to meet like-minded people, discover new interests and, in this case, find a great new story to get into.
“I’m thrilled that Karbon Homes and Silver Friends are putting on events like this for the community, forging friendships and giving people the chance to discover the fantastic venues places like Hexham have to offer.”
Talking Stories is one of a number of Silver Friends groups on offer across West Northumberland and County Durham. Managed by housing association Karbon Homes, Silver Friends hosts events and activities for people aged 50+. Activities include a film club, men’s groups and bingo and quizzes in local community venues.
Silver Friends Coordinator at Karbon Homes, Christine Fletcher, said:
“We were thrilled to welcome Joe Morris to one of our Silver Friends groups and show him how much it’s flourished and grown over the last few months.
“The group started earlier in the year and the difference it’s made to our attendees has been amazing. In our first session, people were quite tentative, but now they’re all excited to talk about the latest book they’ve read or story they’ve listened to. We’re seeing this reflected in all our groups.
“As people get older, they can be affected by life stage change. It can be things like retirement or an illness that stops them from doing the things they used to, and they don’t know how to kickstart it again. Silver Friends empowers them and helps them feel more confident and less lonely. We’re drawing people out of their shells and helping them find new activities and new interests.”
Dot, a local Karbon Homes’ resident, has been attending Silver Friends events since they started in Hexham in January:
“I’m a prolific reader and I’ve always fancied joining a book group. This one isn’t like other book groups where they give you a book to read and then discuss; you can read what you choose and then share that with other people.
“I love hearing about what everyone else is reading. It’s so laid back and easy. I do like to talk, and Silver Friends is a nice way to meet people and have a chat.”
Karbon Homes offers both Silver Friends and its Silver Talk telephone befriending service to customers aged 50 and over.
Find out more about Silver Friends
Silver Friends, an in-person social befriending programme in West Northumberland, has been praised by Local MP Joe Morris for supporting the mental health and wellbeing of older residents.
Joe popped into the Silver Friends’ Talking Stories group at Hexham Library, run by local housing association Karbon Homes, to find out how they help older and vulnerable people to overcome loneliness and isolation.
Talking Stories is a free group for people aged 50+. It gives attendees the chance to chat about the stories they’ve read or heard.
Joe said “It was lovely to meet such a friendly and welcoming group. It was a pleasure to talk to people like Dot and Caroline and find out about the stories that are currently inspiring them.
“The group is a great example of how getting out and socialising with others can be hugely beneficial for your mental health and wellbeing. It’s a chance to meet like-minded people, discover new interests and, in this case, find a great new story to get into.
“I’m thrilled that Karbon Homes and Silver Friends are putting on events like this for the community, forging friendships and giving people the chance to discover the fantastic venues places like Hexham have to offer.”
Talking Stories is one of a number of Silver Friends groups on offer across West Northumberland and County Durham. Managed by housing association Karbon Homes, Silver Friends hosts events and activities for people aged 50+. Activities include a film club, men’s groups and bingo and quizzes in local community venues.
Silver Friends Coordinator at Karbon Homes, Christine Fletcher, said:
“We were thrilled to welcome Joe Morris to one of our Silver Friends groups and show him how much it’s flourished and grown over the last few months.
“The group started earlier in the year and the difference it’s made to our attendees has been amazing. In our first session, people were quite tentative, but now they’re all excited to talk about the latest book they’ve read or story they’ve listened to. We’re seeing this reflected in all our groups.
“As people get older, they can be affected by life stage change. It can be things like retirement or an illness that stops them from doing the things they used to, and they don’t know how to kickstart it again. Silver Friends empowers them and helps them feel more confident and less lonely. We’re drawing people out of their shells and helping them find new activities and new interests.”
Dot, a local Karbon Homes’ resident, has been attending Silver Friends events since they started in Hexham in January:
“I’m a prolific reader and I’ve always fancied joining a book group. This one isn’t like other book groups where they give you a book to read and then discuss; you can read what you choose and then share that with other people.
“I love hearing about what everyone else is reading. It’s so laid back and easy. I do like to talk, and Silver Friends is a nice way to meet people and have a chat.”
Karbon Homes offers both Silver Friends and its Silver Talk telephone befriending service to customers aged 50 and over.
Find out more about Silver Friends
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