"It gives me a reason to put on my lipstick" - virtual coffee mornings keep isolated pensioners in touch

The 100% Digital Leeds team, jointly funded by NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group and Leeds City Council, is working with community and voluntary groups across the city who would usually be hosting face to face groups and events to tackle social isolation and loneliness.

It has helped the groups to improve their digital capacity and capability so that they can stay in touch with some of the most vulnerable people in the city.

One such example has seen a Neighbourhood Network Scheme go online to keep its weekly get-togethers going.

Cross Gates Good Neighbours Scheme, which supports older people to live independently, has been working with 100% Digital Leeds to deliver weekly coffee mornings online using Zoom. Within those sessions they still host the regular Wednesday 'Show n Tell' and quizzes on a Friday.

Marie is one of the elderly folk that logs in to the coffee mornings.

The 79-year-old said: "These virtual coffee mornings give me a reason to get up in a morning, a reason to put my lipstick on. It’s very lonely so it’s really nice to be able to see others, it brightens my days.”

Rachel Benn, Digital Inclusion Coordinator for 100% Digital Leeds, said: “Thanks to our training and support, Digital Champions now support their peers to engage in these virtual sessions. The organisation has developed a programme of Zoom sessions, offering a different session every day, and has taken an important role in sharing their learning with other organisations. This has proven to be a vital way for people to stay connected with neighbours and friends while maintaining social distancing.”

A Leeds GP says that while there has been a focus on physical health during the coronavirus crisis, the impact on mental health is just as important and that the difference projects such as 100% Digital Leeds has been recognised by GP practices.

Dr George Winder, from Oakwood Lane Medical Practice and who is also the clinical lead for new models of care for NHS Leeds CCG, said: “While many of us will be worried about the direct health impacts of coronavirus, it’s easy to forget that the lockdown and social distancing measures will lead to social isolation and loneliness. 100% Digital Leeds helps to tackle this, showing that staying connected is not hard as you might think and can be quite fun too.

“As a GP I’ve seen first-hand how 100% Digital Leeds has helped our GP practice even before the coronavirus pandemic. Accessing the digital world helps people manage their money, deal with housing issues, enjoy leisure and stay connected. This all contributes to positive health and mental wellbeing for everyone.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. These are challenging times but the team at the Yorkshire Evening Post need your support more than ever in the weeks ahead.

While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you - wherever possible and providing it is safe for you to do so - to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Inevitably falling advertising revenues will start to have an impact on local newspapers and the way we continue to work during this period of uncertainty. So the support of our readers has never been more important as we try to make sure that we keep you connected with the city you live in during this time. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. We need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Our team of trusted reporters are working incredibly hard behind the scenes - from kitchen tables and spare bedrooms - to look at how we can do this and your continued support to the YEP will help to protect its viability in the days and weeks ahead.

For more details on our subscription offers please visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk/YEP, email [email protected] or call us on 0330 4033004.

Thank you

Laura Collins

Editor