Gap Finders: Marjorie Hayward who's combatting loneliness

Available for over a year

This week's Gap Finder is Marjorie Hayward, the founder of several initiatives to tackle loneliness. Marjorie spent her career teaching nursing for many years at the University of Central Lancashire. But when Marjorie retired, and after the death of her husband, Marjorie was looking for a new purpose and wanted to help people. Marjorie felt lonely herself, so set up a befriending service in her local town of Chorley which has been in high demand ever since, receiving referrals from GPs and the local council. Marjorie also set up the After Loss Club, where people who lost loved ones could meet and talk with each other. But Marjorie's runaway success has been establishing Talkin' Tables, which emerged after Covid lockdowns. Sensing an epidemic of loneliness made worse by the pandemic, Marjorie reserved a table in a cafe in her local town, inviting people to come along, have a cup of tea, and talk to others. There are now dozens of tables across Lancashire, Cumbria and the West Midlands every week. each table has a "greeter" encouraging people who walk in to join them if they're shy. Marjorie speaks to Winifred about the crippling effects of loneliness, why Covid made loneliness work, and the joy she gets from helping people meet others. You can find more about Talkin' Tables here: https://www.talkintables.co.uk/home Or you can write to: Buttermere Community Centre, Buttermere Avenue, Chorley, PR7 2JG. PRESENTER: WINIFRED ROBINSON PRODUCER: LYDIA THOMAS