A WOKINGHAM charity dedicated to eliminating isolation and loneliness in older residents celebrated the joy of friendship with a lunch held at All Saints Church, Norreys.
Around 100 Link friends and volunteers gathered in the church’s spacious cafe where, every Thursday, the charity holds a community cafe.
Wokingham Borough Mayor Cllr Carol Jewell, her Deputy Mayor Cllr Rob Comber, High Sherrif of Berkshire, Sean Taylor DL, and Wokingham Town councillor Maria Gee all came to support the event.
Guests were able to enjoy lunch, and live music from MJ (Miriam Louise).
A supervisor at Wokingham bistro Sedero Lounge, she sang a range of gentle jazz and blues numbers.
MJ’s singing was much appreciated, even inspiring one or two guests to dance.
A favourite with Link friends, she sang for them recently at an event to mark the start of a Sedero Lounge fundraising campaign to support the charity through the rest of the year.
Charlie Deacon, manager of Sedero Lounge, said: “We are very much about the community, and we want the Lounge to feel like a home-from-home.
“No-one should have to feel lonely, so we’ve been delighted to join with The Link, an organisation that does so much for older people.
“Money we make through our fundraising events this year will go to them, and we’re also making our lovely space available for Link friends, and anyone who wants to join us, to come and enjoy a free coffee or tea on the house.”
Colin is a regular visitor to Sedero Lounge.
After his wife died he was on his own until he joined The Link, and discovered the bistro.
Now he drops in there daily, and he and Charlie have become best friends.
“He used to be a formation dancer on TV programme Come Dancing, and the other day he brought in a picture of himself so that I won’t forget him,” said Charlie.
“We have it on the wall.
“Colin’s wonderful, and he’s really enjoying life now.”
Charlie says that it’s very important to her that the young people she employs understand that the older generation was young once, too.
“We’re all going to be there one day, and we need to be here for each other,” she said.
Colin couldn’t resist taking to the floor to dance with a Link volunteer and was happy to pose for a Wokingham.Today photo with his best friend.
As well as offering a befriending scheme, The Link offers Coffee and Craft sessions, quizzes, Community Kitchen lunches, outdoor bowls, sing-alongs, and Pie and Pint pub visits.
Its projects include: Link Online computer coaching and support, Link To Nature, Active Minds for those experiencing symptoms of cognitive impairment, Friendship Groups, and Chair Yoga.
“Friendship Day was a wonderful opportunity to come together and celebrate,” said Liz McDaniel and Beth Holdway from The Link.
“Everyone’s here; mayors, councillors, and the Sheriff, our friends from Sedero Lounge, family members, and children.”
The Link would love to hear from anyone keen to become a befriender, or who can help out at special events.
And they’re also very keen support more older residents to enjoy the friendship community they offer.
“We want anyone who really needs us to know that we’re here for them,” said Liz.
For information, to become a Link friend, or to volunteer, people should visit: linkvisiting.org
