YEALMPTON and Brixton Caring is on a mission to reduce loneliness and provide social opportunities for all residents in the area.

The new project was dreamt up by Yealmpton Community Association and launched at a well attended event last month.

Yealmpton and Brixton Caring is taking a three-pronged approach to reducing social isolation and stimulating and supporting community activities in the two villages.

The first is a free coffee morning, open to all, that will run every Friday at the Community Centre in Yealmpton between 10am and noon. Men and women are welcome, and Friday newspapers are available to stimulate conversation.

The second is a new luncheon club, to start in September and run on Wednesdays during term time, also at the Community Centre. Meals will be provided by the primary school kitchen team, and a bargain two-course lunch will be on offer, to be booked and paid for in advance.

Yealmpton and Brixton Caring is keen to emulate the success of the previous lunch club, which was run by an excellent team of volunteers for many years.

The third aim of the new organisation is to develop and support a team of volunteer befrienders, who will visit people in their own homes for companionship and to help with small household tasks. It is hoped that the befrienders will also encourage the residents they visit to try some new community activities.

The project launch in April was attended by nearly 30 people keen to find out more or get involved. Many people donated homemade cakes, as well as flowers for the tables, tablecloths and books for participants to borrow.

Yealmpton and District Caring coordinator Bev Richards said: ’I am very pleased with the amount of support and good will the project has generated so far and would like to thank everyone who contributed to make the launch event a success.

’I am currently developing an induction session for the volunteers who would like to help with the project and we are busy finding funding to ensure the project is a success.’

The project is keen to help as many people as possible from within the Yealmpton and Brixton communities and is looking for people willing to spare a small amount of time to help make someone’s day.

Offers of help with the coffee mornings, lunch club or as volunteer drivers would also be more than welcome, and referrals will soon start being accepted from people who would like a bit of support and companionship.

To volunteer in any of these roles or help in any way please contact Bev on 07841 066921.

Yealmpton and Brixton Caring has so far received funding from county councillors Richard Hosking and John Hart.