SEDERO Lounge hosted a wonderful party for Link Friends, says Wokingham charity The Link.
The community-focused cafe, located beside the town’s Waitrose store, invited Link Friends into its large, warm and welcoming interior to celebrate the beginning of a fundraising collaboration with the charity.
Wokingham Borough Mayor Cllr Carol Jewell, her deputy Cllr Alwyn Jones, and Wokingham Town Mayor Cllr Lou Timlin also attended the special event.
Link Friend guests were especially delighted with the party, with feedback including: “What a treat, I’ll be coming back on Monday.”
“I loved today – such a lovely effort, everything was perfect – I loved the flowers on the table.”
And: “How wonderful today has been – to have a live singer was exciting.”
The Link works to reduce isolation amongst older people and to bring generations together in friendship and shared experiences.
It arranges one-to-one befriending, friendship groups, activities, events and long-term projects such as Community Kitchen and Link to Nature, providing quality time and focused attention on individuals who can often feel invisible and forgotten.
Sedero Lounge is committed to making a difference in the community, and has joined forces with The Link, fundraising for the charity through July and beyond.
“We are very much looking forward to working with the Sedero Lounge team, long term,” said Beth Holdway from The Link.
“They threw us a wonderful party to kick off their fundraising collaboration with us.
“It was a hot day, but that didn’t stop us dancing and having fun.
“Charlie and the team put in so much effort and hard work to make it a memorable day.”
Sedero Lounge provided cold drinks, strawberries and cream, as well as plenty of cake.
Guests were also treated to singing from MJ who works at the venue.
“She’s a wonderful singer, and had our Link Friends up and dancing,” continued Beth.
“In fact, we caused quite a scene, with people leaving Waitrose to come and see what all the fun was about.”
Link Visiting staff agreed that it was an amazing afternoon.
“Watching Link Friends come together and having fun is what it’s all about – it’s been perfect,” said one, another adding: “The kindness of Sedero Lounge is so touching – thank you for making such a difference to the community.”
Sedero Lounge staff appreciated the afternoon too.
Comments from the team after the event included: “We have loved being part of the day – we’ve all been bringing in raffle prizes and planning our outfits – it’s a real team event.
And: “I’m so happy to see so many people here – we can’t wait to welcome them back – this is exactly what the Wokingham community needs.”
Sedero Lounge runs a quiz each Monday at 7:30pm.
During July a percentage of the money raised through this fundraiser went to The Link.
They will also be running a Friendship Table every Monday at the cafe between 10:30 and noon, for people to meet, chat and have a cuppa, with a warm welcome guaranteed.
“We are so grateful for the support of such a community-minded venue, and we love that they share our ethos of celebrating friendship,” added Beth.
The Link is always in need of more volunteers to help keep people connected Wokingham Borough, and invites anyone interested in volunteering to contact the charity.
For information, visit: linkvisiting.organd thelounges.co.uk
