AS LIVING costs continue to rise, a friendship group is urging residents to not cut back on socialising.

The not-for-profit group St Helens & Warrington Oddfellows, which has 305 local members, many older or retired, is becoming increasingly concerned about the impact any reduced social contact could have on people’s mental health and wellbeing, a lesson learnt from the pandemic it says.

Oddfellows branch secretary, Julie Webster, says they are making extra efforts to ensure residents continue to have access to affordable social events and opportunities to socialise locally. 

She said: “When you’re stretched financially, you’ve no choice but to look at how you can better budget or where to spend less.

“We want to remind people that socialising doesn’t need to be expensive. We run a variety of events like coffee mornings that cost the price of a cuppa and we love to see our members and anyone who’s interested in making friends. It’s not where you get together that matters, but that you’re just getting together.

“We saw the effect spending less time in the company of others had on our members during the pandemic and we need to make sure that as we face another difficult time we stay in touch and support each other.”

To celebrate national Friendship Month this September, St Helens & Warrington is holding several inexpensive taster events. These events have been specifically designed to make newcomers feel at ease and give residents the chance to experience the supportive benefits of joining a friendship group.

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Events include a Friendship Lunch held on September 9 at Hotties Café inside World of Glass starting at 12.15pm, a Friendship Month Coffee Morning in the same venue on September 15 at 10.30am and a Coffee Morning at Rhode Island Coffee situated just outside the Golden Square Shopping Centre in Warrington on September 27 at 10.30am. 

“Nobody should be without company if they want it,” added Julie.

“If you’re finding it difficult to socialise in later life, or you’d like to build or extend your friendship circle, groups such as ours are a great way to meet like-minded people locally. We’d love to see you.”

Research recently undertaken by the Oddfellows showed how those aged 60-plus in the UK have on average four close friends, with three percent mentioning that they don’t have any. Nine out of 10 (87 percent) agreed that friends improved the quality of their life.

The August 2022 study also revealed how 68 percent of over-60s felt they could rely on their friends in times of need, with 65 percent agreeing that friends help them to get through difficult times.

Dr Jennifer Wild, an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology at Oxford University and friend of the Oddfellows, describes friends as ‘precious protectors’, and something you can never put a price on.

She said: “Friendship is a wonderful thing. Spending time with people who share our values and beliefs can be very motivating, and laughter with friends is proven to improve our mood.

“But friendship goes much deeper than that. The support that good friends provides can also be protective. Those with close companions they can lean on in tough times are less likely to suffer from depression. Friends offer perspectives more compassionate than our own, which helps to interrupt self-critical thinking and improve our problem-solving skill set.”

In addition to attending regular social events, members of St Helens and Warrington can access financial benefits and welfare support, with a dedicated care helpline and citizens advice team, and a travel club. Oddfellows membership costs from £25 a year.

To register an interest in attending an Oddfellows Friendship Month taster event, or to receive a free local events pack, contact Julie Webster on 07456915655 or email julie.webster@oddfellows.co.uk

Further event and online open day details can be found at www.friendshipmonth.com, as well as a competition to win one of two Champagne afternoon tea gift boxes.

To read Dr Wild’s series of friendship advice blogs, written especially for the Oddfellows, go to www.oddfellows.co.uk/news.