Targeting loneliness with coffee, chat and Elvis
BBCSocially isolated people in Staffordshire are being brought together to share in the build-up to Christmas, thanks to projects that ensure residents don't miss out on experiences others take for granted.
Events include a Christmas coffee morning at Middleport Matters Community Trust, one of 19 events across the county and Cheshire organised by BBC Radio Stoke.
Older people who become increasingly isolated are three-and-a-half times more likely to require state-funded residential care, a report for Staffordshire County Council has found.
The authority's Let's Beat Loneliness Together plan aims to reduce levels of self-reported loneliness by 25% within three years.
June Horvath, an attendee at Middleport Matters, had a game of dominos, cake and a chocolate selection box on the table in front of her.
"Delightful" was her smiling response to what seemed a simple question - "what's it like to be socialising with people?"
She added: "This means a lot to me. I have different people here that support me, like Paul, who takes me back home.
"They're all good to me and I really enjoy it because it's different."
The Paul to whom she refers is Paul Wilson, another coffee morning visitor. The pair met when he attended Middleport Matters to seek support with depression.
Mr Wilson, who looks after his mum who has Alzheimer's, said: "When people are down, they are down, but when they're up, they're up. Coming here, we enjoy ourselves."
Charities are concerned social isolation is commonplace in communities, despite being years on from the enforced distance of the Covid pandemic.
Middleport Matters operations manager Vicky Gwynne said some visitors had travelled from relatively far afield within the county "to avoid loneliness".
She said: "Some don't have family close by and Christmas can be a lonelier time. The need has increased specifically since Covid."
Building new friendships has been the ambition of Port Vale FC Foundation, the football club's community arm on Hamil Road, Burslem.
About 100 people, including older supporters, carers with relatives with dementia and volunteers, shared lunch, a game of bingo and a singalong to Elvis.
They call themselves the Golden Valiants, because they are over 50.
"We come here every Thursday. It's the only real opportunity she has to come out," said carer David Mason, who has brought his mother.
She has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
"It's really hard to get her to come out, but we know it helps. This club has given her something to look forward to."
The club had the ability to bring people of all ages together, said the foundation's Neil Crump.
He brought his parents to join the activities and trips after the pandemic.
"It brings home how much people are isolated, yet they do want to meet people and get out of the house and just sing a few songs. It builds up confidence again.
"It's that simple, but I think it's missing from society a bit."
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