Community Connecting
Community Connecting Sessions
Our Community Connecting sessions are designed to bring people together, reduce loneliness and strengthen connections.
The Community Connecting Sessions, delivered through funeral branches across the East of England, provide welcoming, informal spaces where local people can enjoy a cup of tea, meet others, share conversation and build meaningful connections within their community.
At a time when loneliness and social isolation affect people of all ages and backgrounds, the sessions aim to offer something simple but increasingly important: human connection.
What is Community Connecting?
Community Connecting is all about bringing people together and creating welcoming spaces where everyone can feel part of their local community.
Hosted at participating East of England Co-op Funeral branches our monthly sessions offer a relaxed place to enjoy a cup of tea, meet others, share conversation and make new connections.
Inspired by the Compassionate Communities movement, the sessions are a simple way to help reduce loneliness, strengthen local connections and give people more opportunities to spend time together.
Find an upcoming session near you
Community Connecting sessions take place once a month at participating funeral branches across the East of England, with each session lasting around two hours.
Explore upcoming dates and locations to find a session near you.
What to expect
Community Connecting Sessions will take place once a month in participating branches across the East of England, with each session lasting approximately two hours.
They’re relaxed, welcoming get-togethers where you can enjoy refreshments, meet new people, have a chat, share stories or simply enjoy some company.
There’s no pressure to speak or take part in any particular way, and no need to attend every session. You can join in as much or as little as you feel comfortable.
Whether you’re experiencing loneliness, navigating a life change, seeking companionship or simply looking to become more connected within your local community, you’ll always be warmly welcomed.
The sessions are not counselling services, therapy groups or formal support programmes.
Because connection matters
Strong communities are built through everyday moments of kindness, conversation and connection.
Community Connecting sessions are a simple way to create more of those moments, helping people meet others, build friendships and feel part of their local community.
Angela Carpenter, Community Support Lead, said: “Supporting our communities is at the heart of what we do. We hope these sessions remind people that connection can start with something as simple as a conversation.”
Everyone should have the chance to feel connected, supported and like they belong.
