'Coffee mornings help with social isolation'

"It's good for the soul, really good for the soul, to get out and mix with others."

Karen Watkiss found joining a coffee morning group in Biddulph helped her settle in when she moved to the area. She is now an ambassador for Reaching CIC, who organise gatherings to help tackle social isolation.

To help bring more people together this festive season, BBC Radio Stoke is hosting a Christmas coffee morning at 50 pubs, cafes and community centres across Staffordshire and Cheshire.

"They give people a purpose, it makes people get out..we always have a good laugh", Ms Watkiss said.

Ms Watkiss is a member of the coffee morning at The Green Tree House in Biddulph, one of the 50 venues taking part in the event.

Kerry Jones, who works at Orso Lounge in Congleton, runs a newly launched Reaching CIC brew club on a Tuesday.

"I think these days isolation and loneliness is a very bad thing, and it's getting more common. I think Covid affected a hell of a lot of people and some people are still worried to come out and meet new people."

Ms Jones said it was nice to see how much these groups helped people socialise.

For those struggling with feelings of isolation, shorter days, colder weather, and the pressure of Christmas can make them even harder to cope with.

The full list of venues taking part in the event on Thursday 18 December between 0900 and 1300 can be found here.

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