Lancaster church group tackles loneliness

Experts say loneliness is bad for health and can shorten life by up to 15 years, and older people, especially in winter, are some of the most vulnerable.

Lyrics and Lunch, founded in 2013, is a small but growing network of groups, including Skerton’s St Chad’s Church and St John’s, Sandylands.

For someone living with dementia positive social interaction is vital in stimulating the brain and can slow the progress of the disease.

For the many full-time carers supporting someone with dementia it is a great relief to get out and spend enjoyable time with others.

At Lyrics and Lunch the model is Fun, Food and Friendship with an emphasis on singing together. Currently the group have lowered risks by avoiding group singing, but share music and have fun through chair based exercise.

“As a support group we can still meet through lockdown if we work hard to make it as Covid secure as possible,"said group founder and leader Jeanette Main.

"We do have to bear in mind that we are supporting some of the most vulnerable people so we have to weigh up the pros and cons of meeting.

“We try to reach people in other ways too, with recordings of our group singing on DVD, activity packs, online or DVD celebrations such as ‘Holiday at Home’ and Remembrance Day, letters, phone calls and occasional doorstep chat.”

Jeanette wants to encourage everyone over these darker, colder days, especially around Christmas, to look out for the elderly around them.

“A card to say we’re thinking of you, a brief doorstep chat, phone call, offer to collect shopping, or even a passing wave through a window can make them feel cared for," she said. "Small gestures really make a difference.”

There’s more about Lyrics and Lunch online here and for general advice see here