ELDERLY Coventrians got to take part in some festive fun at Belgrade Theatre at a free befriending event.
The event was hosted by Coventry Building Society and saw guests given mulled wine before enjoying a three-course festive lunch.
Santa Claus then made a special appearance, where he acted as the bingo host, and there were plenty of prizes for the winners.
Around 85 guests joined the event, which celebrated the one-year anniversary of Coventry Building Society’s befriending days.
The befriending events aim to provide a safe, warm, and welcoming space for the City’s elderly community and tackle feelings of loneliness or isolation.
Emma Brodie, Senior Community Officer at Coventry Building Society, said: “We started bringing people together this time last year for our initial befriending event, reaching out to elderly vulnerable people, those who feel isolated or living on their own.
“What started with 40 people at the Belgrade last Christmas has grown into many get-togethers with coffee mornings, sporting events and trips to the theatre throughout the year – and today, we’re delighted to be returning our befriending event to the place where it all began.”
“We’ve had guests with varying abilities and disabilities, including those living with dementia, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s along with guests from local care homes.
Belgrade Theatre gifted each guest with a voucher for a free hot mug of soup or a healthy meal box at their ‘Warm Welcome’ scheme, which runs every Wednesday and Saturday in the theatre’s cafe.
Anyone interested in befriending sessions can email [email protected] or go into a local Coventry branch and ask for Emma Brodie.
