Introducing The Friendship Group
Residents at Bishop House and Western Approaches have been working together to organise fun events for residents and even a newsletter, and they’re called The Friendship Group. Sean, who writes the newsletter, told us all about it…
How did your monthly newsletter begin?
“After we had a resident meeting with Sarah and Karen [from South Essex Homes] back in April, it was agreed that we would set up a Residents Action Group to discuss issues with both Western Approaches and Bishop House. Six residents were elected to form the committee, and we agreed to meet in early May.”
What is the Friendship Group?
“At the first Residents Action Group Committee meeting, we felt that the name was too formal and corporate and that we would prefer a social group rather than an action group, so we changed the name to the Friendship Group, and we would devote our time bringing all residents together with social events.
“Regarding the newsletter, we thought that if we let residents know what we are trying to do by giving them a monthly newsletter it would get them out of their flats and join in the social events. So, we tell them how the previous months' events went and what is coming up in the next month.”
We saw events like music nights and bacon roll mornings in your newsletter - what other activities do you organise?
“We have a range of different events, every six weeks we have a music night where we have either a singer or a DJ, which the residents pay £10 each towards and there is also a raffle. We have a monthly Bacon roll and a cup of tea for £1 event, we have a monthly Scampi & Chips evening with a quiz for £5, and there is Bingo every Friday night. We have had a coach trip to Clacton and there's another in September to Brighton. As a number of residents are from London, we also had a Cockney night in July with pie & mash and old-fashioned sing along London music.
“We are having an indoor boot sale so that the residents can sell any of their bric & brac and in November we are having a bonfire night (without the bonfire & fireworks of course), where we will have baked potatoes, chilli con carne and music.”
How have these activities made a positive difference to you and others?
“The feedback from residents has been positive as I think the numbers are increasing at each event and it is nice to see residents getting out of their flats and getting to know each other, especially new residents.
As you can see from the first newsletter our saying is "There are no strangers here, just friends who have never met" and that is what the Friendship Group are trying to achieve, bringing everyone together.”