Gateway Funeral Services: Let’s talk to help make things better
It is the latest initiative by the family business to help over-55s.
The inaugural meeting was a joint venture with Batley Parish Church, which hosted the event.
A regular programme of well-being meetings is now being planned across the district.
The original plan was to help recently bereaved people - but the wider aim now is to also provide support for older people experiencing loneliness and isolation.
Gateway Funerals’ Lucy Hitchcock said: “The idea is to provide a setting where people can meet to build friendships and create a sense of community.
“Although the feeling of loneliness is often at its strongest in the aftermath of the loss of a loved one, it can affect anyone at any time, so these meetings are here to offer support to anyone over the age of 55.”
As well as giving people an opportunity to meet and talk, the sessions also aim to be a source of useful information across a range of subjects affecting older people.
“Alongside discussion and advice on health and well-being, we would also like the meetings to be a place where people might discover new interests and learn new skills,” said Lucy.
“We have engaged with a variety of guest speakers who are happy to come along to offer guidance on subjects such as nutrition, exercise, how to manage bills, finances, arts and crafts.
“Basically we will listen to what the group members would like and then try to work with them.”
As well as Batley, meetings will soon be starting at a venue in Birkenshaw, with more possibly to follow.
For more information on these meetings, or any other aspects of Gateway Funeral Services’ provision, visit www.gatewayfunerals.co.uk or call 0800 007 6842.
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Website: gatewayfunerals.co.uk
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