TACKLING loneliness and isolation in Weymouth is the focus of a new project which has been backed by £50,000 worth of funding.

East Boro Housing Trust, which operates the Waverley Community Hub in Abbotsbury Road, has been awarded a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund.

The grant of £50,000, which will be paid over two years, is funding the appointment of an events co-ordinator, Michelle Woodward, who will be based at the Waverley to deliver a programme of activity to promote interests, hobbies and activities for people in the community.

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The events programme will include 15 different activities each week offered throughout the morning, afternoon and evening. These activities will range from book clubs, games sessions, reminiscence afternoons to film clubs and arts and crafts. There will also be the opportunity for social get togethers over coffee and biscuits.

Michelle Woodward said: “Due to the pandemic and lockdown our aim is to offer small intimate social groups that are welcoming, fun and in a safe environment aimed at reducing isolation and loneliness. They’ll be a varied range of activities and clubs which will be open to all ages, three times a day for a small fee to help towards ongoing running costs. We’re looking forward to holding our first session on Wednesday 15 June.”

East Boro chief executive Kevin Hodder said: “Our thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund for providing this generous lottery grant which will help us make a big difference to those in our community experiencing loneliness and isolation. Through wellbeing initiatives and a diverse range of clubs and sessions we hope to bring people together through common interests so they can discover hidden talents and meet new people in a friendly and welcoming environment.”

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* The Waverley is also home to The Nest, a not-for-profit community shop and café. Single people and families on a low income can buy 10 items off the shelves for £3.50, or 15 items for £5 respectively, along with free bread, milk and vegetables. For social supermarket members the café offers a range of very affordable refreshments such as jacket potato, filling and salad for £1.50, beans on toast for 50p and cake for 30p. The café is also open to non-members at non-discounted prices.

Michelle will also be working with The Nest to extend The Waverley’s activities programme to their customers.

To find out more about the activity programme and to register your interest email mwoodward@ebht.org.uk