"Together at Home" – Older People's Activity Bags

Last month, across the Thatcham, Newbury, Hungerford and Lambourn churches, we launched our "Together at Home" Older People's Activity Bags to keep people connected to their pastoral/church community. Members of Evergreen Fellowship, Tuesday Fellowship, the non-digital congregation at Thatcham and some Lambourn members will have received their first bag by now.

We know many people are missing their groups and/or being able to meet in person to worship together. We also know that many don't have access to the internet to access activities online. We're aware that some people are feeling increasingly lonely and isolated especially with the nights drawing in as we head towards winter.

Our aim is to provide an activity bag once a month for the next six months. Each bag will contain devotional material, a simple craft activity, an edible treat, quizzes / word searches / sudoku etc. a current copy of the Newbury Weekly News, and more...

We hope the content will keep people occupied, enable them to have some fun, perhaps try something new and stimulate conversation with friends/family members/carers.

We received a £1000 grant from Greenham Trust to start it off along with a discount from the Newbury Weekly News. Winchcombe Place Care Home is kindly preparing and printing some of our materials.

We have a fundraising appeal on The Good Exchange to raise £2000 to fund the project. If you or anyone you know would like to contribute please go to our Good Exchange page. Alternatively cheques (payable to Thatcham Methodist Church) can be given to Karen Frost.

Further details can be obtained from 07444 851606 or pastoraldevelopmentworker@outlook.com