Members of a Lanarkshire friendship group are hoping more pals will join them as the autumn months roll in.
The Mill Street housing complex friendship group in Rutherglen has even started making fancy cards as just one of its activities, and is looking for people to join the fun.
The group meets every Tuesday between 12.30pm and 2.00pm in the complex’s lounge and has returned, post-COVID, to being the highlight of the week for everyone taking part.
The group had to pause during the pandemic but the clients and housing complex manager thought it safe enough to re-start again in April of this year.
Now it is back in full swing and group co-ordinator Mandy Martin is adding more activities to the regular chat.
Mandy explained: “Card making is just the latest thing the group is trying, but it’s hard trying to get people to concentrate on it when there is so much banter flying around. It’s great fun.”
Two women who joined the group recently, Margaret McKenzie and Christine Yuill, both agreed with that sentiment.
Margaret told Lanarkshire Live: “I really enjoy coming to the group. I felt very anxious on my first visit but everyone has made to feel really welcome.
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Christine echoed that thought, adding: “Margaret and I both live on our own and wondered about coming into the group and the housing complex.
“However, we have become friends since being at the group and that was exactly what we wanted. We both look forward to the group every week.”
Another visitor to soon join the group will be a rescue dog from the Dogs’ Trust rehoming centre in Glasgow.
Mandy said: “The Trust contacted us asking if they could visit the group and let them know what the Trust is doing, and we are really looking forward to them bringing along a four-legged friend for everyone to meet.”
If you would like to join the group, or find out more about volunteering with LEAP, call Mandy on 0141 641 5169 or email enquiries@leap-project.co.uk for further details.
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