Warrington colleagues host community friendship group in store cafe
Our fab Warrington colleagues have set up a community friendship group in the store's cafe for local people to mix, chat and get access to local services.
Held in the Warrington superstore on Tilly Lane, the monthly event is the brainchild of the store's community champion Liz Cotterill.
Colleagues at the store helped out and they were also joined by Birchwood community champion Beky Wakefield and Westbrook community champion Cathy Robinson.
Liz said: "Ourselves and the community organise lots of events between October and Christmas focusing on getting people together at various events across Warrington, anything from bingo to just meeting up for a chat and a cuppa. It's all about making time for people and tackling loneliness.
"Quite a few of the guests at these events, and customers who I chat to, mentioned that they had nothing else to look forward to for the rest of the year. I had a look and noticed that although there were groups such as mum and toddler and elderly lunch clubs, there was nothing for all the community to come together.
"So I thought it would be a lovely idea to get people of all ages from across our town into our cafe once a month. I posted leaflets in store and I sent out emails to community centres, local groups and our new PCSO Colin Blanchard.
"He'd had nobody come to his surgeries but came to our friendship group and got to speak to 48 people. The local community groups also got to speak to people about activities and groups which they might not have known about otherwise.
"One lady who's over 55 said 'people think I just want to be with people my age, but it's really nice for me to spend time with younger people.'
"Customers passing by wanted to know what was going on so they joined in too! It was great, it was a really good atmosphere and people said they're already looking forward to the next one."
The next event is at the Asda Warrington Superstore on Tilly Lane on Monday 12 February at 11am, and everyone is welcome.