Foundation Launch Kirkham Companions
AFC Fylde Community Foundation’s Kirkham Companions session is held at Kirkham’s Community Centre every Wednesday 13:30 – 15:30 for people over the age of 55.
The two hour session aims to get people out of the house and socialising with others, to try and avoid the possibility of loneliness or social isolation.
A typical session consists of having tea or coffee with some biscuits whilst they have a chat with the other participants that have attended, plus our staff who are there to offer individual and/or group support.
They often complete quizzes before they then take part in a group activity – their favourite is Boccia (indoor bowls) but in the last month they have also taken part in archery and bingo.
It is hosted by members of our Community Foundation team, one of them being our Loneliness Prevention Project Co-ordinator, Daisy Sheridan.
Daisy said: “The Kirkham Companions group is an opportunity for local over 55s to meet likeminded people and join in with activities.”
She also believes: “The group means a lot to the people who attend as it is an opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones.
“Kirkham Companions is part of our Loneliness Prevention Project which works to reduce the isolation of older people across the Fylde Borough through improving links to their community and providing one to one support.”
We took the opportunity to catch up with one of our members, Peter Kitt (pictured below). He is 78 years old, his family all live in Southampton, who he sees for a week once every three months and unfortunately he is now also bereaved.
Born in Blackpool and having now lived in Wesham for 20 years, the Foundation is delighted that one of our programmes is having such a positive impact on someone like Peter.
The 78-year-old said: “I’ve been coming [to Kirkham Companions] every week for six months. It’s become a part of my week, I look forward to it and I look forward to seeing the people, it’s exactly what the name says – companions.
“I’m involved with many charities including this one and I would definitely recommend this to others, it’s bringing people together and a lot of people here are active and come along – but you find in Kirkham, a lot of people live in their own world so they don’t respond.”
Peter also volunteers at a farm two days a week, which is “like having my own horse with no responsibility or cost” he said.
Next week we will be hosting an Easter bingo event on Wednesday March 27th, so if you know of anyone that you think would benefit from this project, please feel free to get them to come along and meet more people like Peter.
Please email: daisy.sheridan@afcfylde.co.uk for more information.
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