A Shropshire advocacy charity committed to supporting disabled and vulnerable people has launched a series of coffee and chat mornings aimed at combatting loneliness.

Oswestry-based Shropshire PCAS (Shropshire Peer Counselling & Advocacy Service) hosted the first event at Oswestry Memorial Hall in Smithfield Street in January with further monthly dates to follow up to and including April.

The charity says the dark and often cold winter months offer little comfort to people who may be living alone and have little or no contact with anyone for long periods, and hopes its new Winter Warm Up: Coffee and Chat get-togethers will encourage people to venture out and engage with the Shropshire PCAS team and others who find themselves in a similar situation.

Tarrah Lewis, Business Development Manager at PCAS, said, “Far too many people are experiencing loneliness, and this time of year often makes the situation worse. Many confine themselves to their homes with a general reluctance to go out and there are those who simply have no one to visit them.

“PCAS works with many vulnerable people who find themselves in these circumstances, which is why we have decided to launch a series of coffee dates in the coming months where anyone can come along for a couple of hours and chat.

“The first one was a great success, and others will follow on 17 February, 17 March and 21 April. They are all on Tuesdays and all run from 10am until noon at Oswestry Memorial Hall. Our aim is to combat loneliness and people are welcome to drop in for a warm drink, homemade cakes and a friendly chat.

“We will also hold a raffle, which will help us in our efforts to support the vulnerable in our community. The events provide the opportunity to meet the PCAS team and discover how, together, we can help prevent isolation and loneliness during the winter months. We are also keen to hear from anyone who would like to help us put on the coffee mornings by sponsoring the events.”

Shropshire PCAS has been a lifeline to more than 11,000 disabled and vulnerable adults across Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin for more than 30 years with advocates and volunteers at its Oswestry base working with clients who often have no one else to turn to.

The charity supports clients, most of whom live alone and have no family support, through complex issues including housing problems, safeguarding concerns, social care access, energy bills, and health challenges. But, despite the life-changing support Shropshire PCAS provides, it receives no statutory funding for its core advocacy service and relies entirely on grants, donations, and fundraising.

For more about Shropshire PCAS visit https://shropshirepcas.co.uk/ or call 01691 658008.