More than a cuppa

For some people, a warm drink and opportunity to catch-up with friends can be the highlight of their week.

That's why Scawby Coffee Morning was set up in 2017, when a local couple realised there were lots of lonely elderly people in the village and wanted to connect them together.

In March 2025, another local couple Colin Humphrey and his wife Sue took over the coffee morning and have been running it ever since.

The coffee morning runs every Tuesday morning between 10am and 11:15am from Scawby Village Hall. 

The group has gone from strength to strength, and it now welcomes around 33 local people every week, free of charge. 10 volunteers are also part of a 'tea rota', and every week two people help in the kitchen and make hot drinks for the attendees.

Reflecting on the impact of the coffee morning so far, Colin said: "Bringing local people together can make a real difference to their mental wellbeing. We've seen friendships flourish through the coffee mornings, particularly among a group of men who sit at the same table every week.

"For some men, starting conversations and building connections doesn't always come easily, so it's incredibly rewarding to see them form such a strong friendship group and look forward to seeing each other every week."

But the coffee mornings offer much more than just a hot drink and a biscuit.

Each week brings something different, from bingo and quizzes to raffles and special guest visits. Once a month, local police officers join the group, giving residents the opportunity to raise any concerns, ask questions and stay connected with what's happening in their community.

The local group is also one of our Community Champions until March 2027.

Colin said: "Everyone at the coffee morning is so grateful to Lincolnshire Co-op and its customers, members and colleagues for the funds we will receive. The extra money will mean we can continue to provide refreshments as well as prizes for our bingo and raffle weeks.

"It's also really important us to that local people can attend free of charge. For some, the coffee morning is the only time in the week they get out of the house and connect with others, so ensuring the sessions remain accessible is at the heart of the support we provide."