Cuppa and chat groups among those helping tackle loneliness and isolation

A weekly cuppa and a chat are building the foundations to combat loneliness for people living in Neath Port Talbot.

The Cuppa and Chat group (pictured) provides an outlet for women aged 50 and over to meet, make friends and try different activities and hobbies.

Held every week at Resolven Building Blocks Centre, it aims to improve wellbeing and reduce loneliness and isolation within the local community.

It is just one of many groups and projects that has received funding through the Neath Port Talbot Loneliness and Isolation Small Grant Scheme.

Facilitated by Neath Port Talbot Community Voluntary Service (NPTCVS), the scheme received funding from Swansea Bay’s three Neath Port Talbot-based Local Cluster Collaboratives (LCCs) – Afan, Neath and Upper Valleys – and Neath Port Talbot Council, to help tackle loneliness and isolation in the area.

The weekly group in Resolven not only helps combat loneliness and isolation but has helped improve the overall wellbeing of many members.

Liz Davies, project manager at Resolven Building Blocks Centre, said: “The group is targeted at local women aged 50 and over and aims to provide a regular social outlet where women can come together, try something new and make friends.

“The sessions help people to get out of the house, meet other women from the local community, try different activities, such as crafts, and make natural friendships.

“We often hear about how they have met up outside the group and have several women who now want to volunteer at the centre and raise money so that the group will continue running.”

The grant scheme aims to improve both the physical and mental wellbeing of people in the community who experience, or are at risk of experiencing, loneliness.

“The group and its activities not only help to tackle loneliness and isolation in our community but also help to develop skills and confidence and improve the members’ overall wellbeing,” Liz added.

“One lady who attends every week is not from the village so didn’t know many people locally, she lives alone and her children have grown up and moved away.

“When she heard about the group, she thought she’d give it a try and she now comes every week, is an integral member of the group and has made friends in the village.”

Upper Valleys LCC lead, Niki Watts, said: “Loneliness and social isolation can have a significant impact on both physical and mental health.

“Supporting initiatives like these is an important part of improving overall wellbeing in our communities, and it’s fantastic to see the difference they are already making.”

The YMCA based in Neath is another organisation that has received funding through the scheme, which has helped them facilitate a fortnightly men’s coffee morning.

Many members take part in activities such as pool and darts, helping them to build friendships in the community.

Jessica Kennedy, centre manager, said: “The group gives people a welcoming space to enjoy a cuppa, have a chat and spend time with others in a relaxed environment.

“It helps reduce loneliness and social isolation by giving people a regular opportunity to get out of the house and spend time with others. For many who attend it provides routine, friendship and something positive to look forward to.

“The relaxed atmosphere helps people feel comfortable and included, especially those who may struggle with confidence or mental wellbeing.”

Jessica explained that groups like Mugs and Mates (pictured) often helped people in the community to feel valued and connected.

“Funding allows us to continue offering the group for free, helping remove barriers for those who may already be struggling financially or socially,” she added.

“It also helps us provide refreshments, activities, resources and staff support, as well as continue developing new opportunities such as wellbeing walks and community activities.

“Without funding, groups like this would be much harder to sustain, and many people would lose an important source of friendship.”

Other organisations that have received funding include Neath Port Talbot Mind, to support the delivery of a Mums Matter group which provides weekly guided self-help sessions and one-to-one personalised support for new mums.

Age Connects Neath Port Talbot has been supported to expand its befriending service, with the funding helping to recruit more volunteers to help a larger number of older people.

Registered charity Your Voice Advocacy, which provides advocacy and support to people with learning disabilities, also received funding through the scheme to establish a social club for adults with learning disabilities in the Port Talbot area.

Learning Disability Wales, Cariad Communities CIC, Awel Amman Tawe, Friends of Clyne and Melincourt, Tabletop Hobby Club and The Sunflower Lounge have all benefited from the scheme.

Dr Deborah Burge-Jones, GP partner at Quays Medical Practice and Neath LCC lead, said: “Social isolation was identified as a population health issue and one that has significant impact on our cluster patients.

“These types of initiatives have helped to lessen this for our population.

“It is always a pleasure working with NPTCVS and the grant recipients and seeing the benefit the projects have on the cluster community.”