Get connected with a Community Cuppa

Local residents, community and voluntary groups will come together to meet, share information and make new friends over a cuppa and cake as part of a new scheme.

Community Cuppa events are launching in April and are aimed at anyone who is over 50 and would like to find out more about what is going on in their local area.

They’re designed to build connections between people in communities around Lincolnshire, helping tackle loneliness and social isolation.

The Community Cuppa scheme is being run by charity Community Lincs and Lincolnshire Co-op and events take place in Scotter, Saxilby, Gosberton, Washingborough, Boston and Lincoln. Find out thelatest dates here.

There will be hot drinks served, plus cakes and fruit, all provided by the local Lincolnshire Co-op food store.

Organisers of the Community Cuppa events are also looking for small local groups to join in and have a stand at the events.

People who go along to the April events will be asked for their feedback which will be used to help plan further sessions in the same locations in June, July, September and October.

“Community Lincs is thrilled to be working with Lincolnshire Co-op on this new project,” said Gail Jackson, CEO of Community Lincs.

“Working closely with the Lincolnshire Co-op, and with their generous support, we can launch Community Cuppa which will give people the opportunity to meet, enjoy refreshments, develop new friendships and find out about local groups and services.”

Lincolnshire Co-op’s Community Manager Sam Turner said: “Nationally, loneliness has been identified as an issue which can impact on people’s health and wellbeing. There are estimated to be 1.2m chronically lonely older people in the UK and studies show it’s as bad for you as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

“We know that our services are valued by many people across the area and our colleagues are often at the heart of their local community too. So, we thought developing the Community Cuppa scheme alongside Community Lincs was a perfect fit with our values.

Any interested groups which would like to get involved are encouraged to contact Community Lincs.