New friendships

New friendships are being created and a lovely mini community has been established as a result of a new group which has been set up at our Rutherford House sheltered housing scheme in Easington.

The Friendship Group meets in the communal lounge every Tuesday afternoon and it’s an opportunity for residents to get together for a good old chat and bite to eat.

The group was set up after our Independent Living Officer Lynsey Saunders secured a grant of £250 from Health Works which we used buy cooking equipment, including an air fryer.

It means one week we are able to provide sandwiches and other finger food and the next week a hot meal, depending on people’s preferences.

It’s common to see a dozen people gathering each week and in addition to this, we also have other regular events, such as fish and chip Fridays, game afternoons and trips out.

The ages of the residents involved in the Friendship Group range from those in their 50s to people in their 90s.

The ‘youngest’, at 53, is Julie, who says: “It really helps to break the week up and it’s something we all look forward to.”

Susan comes to the Friendship Group to see her mum Maureen who lives at Rutherford House, and she says: “There’s always lots of things going on and it’s lovely to know mum is involved. If I was on my own, I know exactly where I would move to!”

David is another good example of someone who is benefiting from the group.

He says: “I very rarely used to leave my flat, so it has done wonders for me.”

All of the residents say that Lynsey needs a special mention for going ‘over and above’ to make living at Rutherford House such a pleasant experience.