Circle September for friendship

As a summer of sunshine and socialising draws to a close, residents are being urged to 'Circle September for friendship' and prioritise their social lives before winter sets in.

With social opportunities often dwindling as routines change and the evenings become darker and shorter, Mersey Oddfellows is encouraging local people to strengthen existing friendships and make new connections ahead of the colder months.

To help people achieve this and to mark Friendship Month in September (September 1-30), the group is opening its doors through a programme of free and low-cost taster events.

The invitation is backed by a recent Oddfellows survey which found that nearly two-thirds (62%) admit they have lost touch with a good friend because they stopped meeting up in person regularly.

Mersey Oddfellows, which has over 200 local members, organises regular social events, activities and meetups across Liverpool and Wirral.

Angela Murray, Social Organiser for Liverpool area of Mersey Oddfellows, said: "Summer is often full of opportunities to get out, meet people and spend time with friends and family. But as winter approaches, many people find they have fewer social plans and can start to feel isolated.

 "That's where groups like ours can help. We provide easy routes to meet other local people.”

 "We’ve lots of opportunities coming up during Friendship Month, and the friendships formed through groups like ours can have a real and lasting impact on wellbeing throughout the year."

 Oddfellows taster events taking place during September include a Waterloo Get Together, starting at 10.30 am on Monday September 14 at Waterloo Community Centre, Great George’s Road, Waterloo. There is also a Talk by The Queens Dressmaker starting at 1pm on Wednesday September 23 at Woolton Village Club, Allerton Road, Woolton Village, and a Friendship Walk led by Richie the Ranger starting at 11am on Sunday September 27 meeting outside St Nicholas Church on the Strand. Then we round off the month with our Childwall Get Together ,starting at 10.30am on Monday September 28 at The Childwall Abbey Hotel on Childwall Abbey Road.

Members from all areas of Liverpool, joined the group after looking for ways to meet new people and try some shared activities locally.

They said: "The friendships we’ve made through the Oddfellows have made a huge difference. It's given us companionship and a real sense of belonging. It’s important to always have something to look forward to in your diary and to know you have people looking out for you."

Dr Anna Machin, evolutionary anthropologist and friend of the Oddfellows, says regular face-to-face contact helps friendships grow stronger, making it important to maintain social connections during the colder months.

Anna said: "Friendships need regular contact to thrive. The key is consistency, regularity and proximity. As winter approaches, making time for regular catch-ups can make a significant difference to your wellbeing."

As part of Friendship Month, Dr Machin will also host a free friendship webinar on Tuesday October 13 at 7pm. The Zoom session will offer practical advice on building and maintaining meaningful friendships in later life. Further information and registration details are available at www.friendshipmonth.com.

Mersey Oddfellows is one of 91 UK branches of the Oddfellows, a not-for-profit mutual that supports around 39,000 members nationwide.

Oddfellows members can access a variety of benefits including care and welfare support. There are also opportunities for group travel and to take part in fundraising and volunteering.

In addition to in-person social events, the Oddfellows hosts around 60 free online events every month that are accessible to everyone, including virtual open days where people can learn more about membership and its groups.

Anyone interested in attending a Friendship Month event or learning more about the Oddfellows can request a free information pack and events diary by calling Angela on 07912 605677, emailing [email protected] or visiting www.friendshipmonth.com.