REECE & SUNNY'S ROVING REPORTS - Friendlier Fleetwood
Friendlier Fleetwood have a few meetings throughout the week at various locations in Fleetwood. Sunny and I attended the Friday afternoon session at YMCA, Lofthouse Building on London Street.
Fran currently runs the group; she inherited it from the founder, Jane. When Fran first moved here, she didn’t know anybody and wanted to make some new friends.
The group is very welcoming, fun, friendly and a supportive one with Fran finding that the group supports her as much as she supports them. Fran said that the group helps her get her out and about, as well as keeping her busy.
Sunny and I got to meet and chat to a lot of the group members, or rather I spoke with them whilst Sunny received lots of fuss and attention from everyone.
One lady I spoke with called Clare, only joined the group a few months ago, she came along to make friends and really likes the fact that this is the kind of group where you can come and go as you want to. After losing her husband, a year ago, the group helped her get out the house and meet people. Clare found a familiar face when she first attended, in the shape of a former work colleague and she is looking forward to the group’s upcoming events.
When speaking with Derrick, he told me that prior to Covid, his daughters had said he should get out more and went along after finding the details for the group in a magazine. When he first attended, the group met at Highbury Social Club and he has been coming along ever since, generally once or twice a week. Derrick feels for him it is all about having a laugh with the added bonus of having the opportunity to talk about problems, there may be someone there who has experienced something similar and able to find the solution but just having a listening ear can help.
Sunny and I really felt at home within this group, it really was just like meeting up with friends and having a good chin wag over a brew and biscuits. Everyone in the group make both Sunny and I feel so welcome, although some people brought with them their own things, be it holiday brochures or knitting, everyone came together as friends, so much so that they plan to go away in November on a Turkey & Tinsel break to Fort William in Scotland. There are also plans to go out for various meals, with one booked for Christmas time at The North Euston Hotel and next year there are plans afoot to holiday in Newquay.
I can honestly say, this really is a group that have become firm friends, friendships having made and some members meeting up outside of the group's sessions.
Anyone who wants to come along and join them is very welcome, the group is all about having fun and a laugh or joke with each other. Sunny particularly loved the fact gave he received so much attention and those all-important cuddles.
If you are new to the area or feeling alone/isolated and want to make new friends, I would recommend giving Friendlier Fleetwood a try
- Reece & Sunny, August 2024
Friendlier Fleetwood meet at Fleetwood Library, North Albert Street on Monday, Tuesday and Saturday between 1pm & 3pm, and at the YMCA, Lofthouse Building, London Street on Friday between 1pm & 3pm.
The group is free to attend at the Library - the Friday afternoon group at YMCA does cost £2pp to cover the room hire.
> See the Friendlier Fleetwood page on Facebook or call Fran on 07762 181536.
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