Friendship group brings monthly Monday meetups to Torquay

Heart of the West Oddfellows is bringing a new monthly Monday meetup to Torquay as the local friendship group celebrates a nationwide campaign to promote the benefits of friendship.

The expansion follows the success of establishing a similar group in Newton Abbot, where local members have been enjoying getting together for around a year.

The regular meetups will start on Monday 29 September and will be held at The Caledonian Torbay Hotel at 11am, and will last for around two hours. Anyone is invited to attend and can drop in or give notice to the event host beforehand.

Social Organiser for Heart of the West Oddfellows, Tara Carlisle, promises a warm welcome and lots to look forward to. She said: “We’ve developed a lovely group up the road in Newton Abbot, and I’m sure many of them will be joining us at the new group too. We get people from all walks of life with fascinating experiences to share and I can’t wait to do the same in Torquay.”

The launch forms part of the national Society’s Friendship Month celebrations throughout September, now in its 15th year. The aim is to bringing local people together to form new friendships.

As well as launching the new group in Torquay, Heart of the West Oddfellows, a not-for-profit made up of around 300 members, mostly older adults, will also be holding taster events Newton Abbot throughout September in aid of Friendship Month.

On Monday 1 September at 11am, the group is meeting for a ‘Coffee and Catch Up’ at Austin’s Coffee Shop. On Tuesday 9 September they will be at Indulgence Tearooms at 2pm for ‘Tea at 2’. The cost of for all three Friendship Month events are as per the venues’ respective menus.

The Oddfellows also runs around 60 online social events through Zoom each month which are free and open to the general public, including online open days.

Tara added: “Trying new activities inevitably puts us in situations where we might feel uncomfortable or a little out of place – but that’s all part of the experience. People who try us always leave saying they wish they hadn’t worried so much and they were pleased they came along.

“Good company boosts your mood, builds your social confidence, and keeps your brain and body active. Plus, what often gets overlooked is that when you create a new circle of friends, you’re also creating a supportive network for when you might need a helping hand.”

Amanda Hart, a former B&B Proprietor from Seaton, joined Heart of the West Oddfellows during Friendship Month last year. She said: “I found the Oddfellows simply by being nosy. I saw some posters and a display at a café and went over to see what was going on. The lovely Tara came and spoke to me and made me feel so welcome and we ended our chat with hugs.

“I wanted to expand my friendship group and have new experiences, so I joined and I am so pleased that I did. They are all such lovely people and I look forward to being a member for many years.”

Retired Betting Assistant at horseracing events Jackie Campbell, from Kingskerswell, who has been a member for a year, agrees with Amanda, adding: “Joining the Oddfellows has opened up my world in so many ways. I have met lots of new lovely people, who I now consider my friends, and look forward to meeting up and getting out and doing things that I would never have done on my own.

“I love it all, especially the coffee mornings and afternoon teas where we all get together and exchange things have happened in our lives in the past few weeks. Everyone is so friendly and we care about each other, so you never feel entirely alone.

“I would encourage anybody wanting company or maybe needing that little push to get out there and do things to take the step and join our lovely group.”

Another member, Elizabeth Keogh Smith who worked in local government before retiring, described her initial impressions of the group having recently joined Heart of the West Oddfellows to increase her friendship group: “I have been impressed by the warmth and friendliness of the group. Having attended several events which were most enjoyable, I feel part of the group and look forward to participating in future events.”

In a message to potential new members, Elizabeth added: “There is no pressure as you can choose the activities you wish to participate in. There is nothing to lose and much to gain.”

Heart of the West Oddfellows is one of 96 branches of the Oddfellows, which is one of the oldest and largest friendly societies in the UK.

The Society aims to improve its members’ lives through friendship and support. As well as its events, members can access a variety of benefits including care and welfare support and a travel club. There are also opportunities to take part in fundraising and volunteering initiatives.

To register an interest in attending one of Heart of the West Oddfellows’ Friendship Month taster events, or to find out more about the group and its activities, email tara.carlisle@oddfellows.co.uk, call Tara on 07909 449 703 or request a local info pack at www.friendshipmonth.com.