Stowmarket community encouraged to Meet and Mingle

The Home Freedom partnership, a pilot project we are running with home care provider Mears Group, is inviting local people to a series of friendly, fun-filled afternoon sessions with an opportunity to access a range of free health and wellbeing services all in one space.

The partnership will run Meet and Mingle sessions every Friday, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at Stowmarket Community Centre. With the first session running on Friday 11 March, Stowmarket residents are encouraged to come along and make new friends, try new activities and speak to Home Care Advisors and specialists about the services and products that matter to them.

Throughout the project, local people will have access to a variety of East of England Co-op and Mears Group specialist services in their home town. From qualified opticians offering free sight tests, to experienced audiologists and a professional pharmacy team on hand to arrange for home delivery of prescriptions, the scheme is designed to make it easier for people with care needs to live at home and enjoy their freedom for longer.

Each Meet and Mingle session will feature a different East of England Co-op service, including access to bereavement support councillors and sessions with a travel team that can organise trips for people living independently or access holidays for carers in need of a break. There will also be an opportunity to order weekly shopping on a Friday afternoon and have it delivered by one of our friendly drivers.

Mears Group will also be offering a variety of services to help people remain independent and live fuller lives, including personal care and support, cooking and cleaning services, support with getting out and about, respite care and more. Care Advisors will run activities including food tastings, group games, puzzles and prize draws to encourage people to meet up with old friends and make new ones in an inclusive and welcoming environment.

Alan Long, Executive Director at Mears Group said; “Everyone at Mears is delighted to be working with the team at East of England Co-op on the Home Freedom partnership. Both organisations hold the same values to improve the lives of the local community and tackle social isolation, through developing innovative solutions.

“The Meet and Mingle events will create a ‘community hub’ in Stowmarket, where residents can come together in a friendly environment, enjoy fun sessions, while accessing a range of health and wellbeing services in one place.”

Doug Field, Joint Chief Executive at the East of England Co-op said; “The Home Freedom partnership is dedicated to enriching the lives of local people and the introduction of our Meet and Mingle sessions will enable the Stowmarket community to access to our services all in one place.

“The new weekly sessions provide an opportunity to combat loneliness, take part in fun activities and maintain health and wellbeing by speaking to friendly colleagues and accessing our services, completely free of charge.”