CAMELFORD WI is taking a stand against loneliness in their community, with the introduction of a new group.

This follows on from a meeting last year, which saw the group come up with the resolution to alleviate loneliness in Camelford and the surrounding area.

Loneliness affects people from all backgrounds, and can be emotionally draining. Mind, the mental health charity, has said feeling isolated and alone can have a negative impact on one’s mental health and that there are a number of contributing factors to loneliness.

Wendy Coombes, a Camelford WI member who has been at the forefront of the new group, Friends Together, is hoping that this initiative will help to bring people together. She is also looking to hear feedback from the general public in regards to any activities or groups that might help with their campaign.

Wendy said: “This has been started by Camelford WI. Every year, we are required to come up with a resolution, and in 2017 Camelford WI decided that their resolution would be alleviating loneliness.

“The group is called Friends Together and the aim is to alleviate loneliness — we want nobody to be lonely in Camelford. There is a huge amount of activity in the community, and we’re currently putting together a leaflet that will highlight activities, outings, bus links and how people can get involved.”

She continued: “Everyone can be affected by loneliness — it could be a young mum at home with her children, people that have just moved to the area, the elderly, those who have suffered bereavement — there are no bounds when it comes to loneliness.”

One thing Friends Together is focusing on is the introduction of a ‘welcome pack’ for people moving to the area, including a list of services in the community.

This is something that has seen great interest from a local estate agent firm, which is keen to receive packs in the future to distribute to those who may be buying homes in the area.

The group also hopes to create a befriending service, and will be working with local GPs to work out a strategy in which to achieve this.

Friends Together will meet once a month in Camelford. For further information, contact Wendy on 01840 211065 or email [email protected]