Let the battle against loneliness commence!

The Mall Blackburn’s inaugural Community Catch Up is set to be a bumper event with support coming in from across Lancashire.

Taking place on Friday 29th June in a private area of The Mall, and supported by Gilly and friends from BBC Radio Lancashire, the free afternoon event is open to anyone that wants to come along and make new friends.

Fylde-based artist Anne Corless will be producing live artwork and giving hints and tips to anyone who is interested in exploring their creative side.

Lucy Williams from Take 1 PA, which is also based in the west of the county, will be on hand to talk to people about getting involved with performing arts.

Inspirational fundraiser, Emily Leyland, from Fresh Perspective Resourcing in Chorley will also be popping in to speak to Gilly 24 hours ahead of her charity skydive for Women’s Aid on Saturday.

She will talk to guests about how to get involved with fundraising work and how to take those first steps back into the world of work.

Blackburn with Darwen Carers will be on hand to provide support to any guests that are caring for a loved one with an illness or disability and Age UK will be offering free, confidential and expert advice on social care, housing, scams or legal issues and much more.

The Samaritans will be lending a listening ear and explaining how people can work with them to support those in need.

Last, but certainly not least, volunteers from the Blue Skies Hospital Fund, which is the charity for Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, will be in attendance to talk people through volunteering opportunities.

Staggering statistics revealed by Age UK showed that there were 34,000 lonely people in Lancashire at the end of last year and that being lonely is as detrimental to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

To help boost well-being and bring the local community together, The Mall decided to offer a Community Catch Up scheme for people of all ages and backgrounds that want to meet new people, learn new skills or just enjoy a brew and a chat.

Lorraine Jones

 Loraine Jones, General Manager at The Mall Blackburn, said: “We have been overwhelmed with the support we have received for our Community Catch Up event, with offers of help coming in from across Lancashire!

“It is brilliant to have BBC Radio Lancashire’s Gilly on board and he will be with us once a month throughout summer.

“The Community Catch Up afternoons are free and open to anyone that is feeling lonely or wants to try something new.

“There is no pressure to take part in any activities and people can just pop in for a quick cuppa if they like.

“With such an amazing line up at our first event we are all very much looking forward to seeing everyone on Friday.”

BBC Radio Lancashire’s afternoon presenter, Gilly, is looking forward to the event; he said: “Since we announced the launch of the Community Catch Up events we have been inundated with offers of help from local organisations.

“We’ve got a cracking event planned for Friday and would urge anyone that is feeling isolated or alone to come along and be part of it!”

The inaugural Community Catch Up will take place on Friday 29th June from 12.00pm until 4.00pm in The Mall’s training room, which is located upstairs across from Debenhams and Home and Fragrance.

To become part of the Community Catch Up network and attend future events please contact Laura Diffey, Marketing Manager at The Mall Blackburn, on 01254 54455 or laura.diffey@themall.co.uk

Latest News

October 2023