Throughout Sefton’s Year of Friendship, Sefton Council is dedicated to tackling loneliness by ensuring residents are aware of the many groups and activities on offer throughout the borough.

If you’re suffering from loneliness or feeling socially isolated, the most difficult thing can often be making those first steps towards making new friends.

Sefton CVS’ Community Connectors organise a weekly coffee morning at The Frank Hornby (Wetherspoons) in Maghull. The coffee morning is there for anyone aged 18 or over who feels lonely or isolated to pop along and have a hot drink with some new friends. It is also open to anybody who would like to offer a helping hand.

The coffee mornings take place every Wednesday from 10am to 12pm with hot drinks available for £1.25 with free refills. For more information call 0151 920 0726 or email connectors@seftoncvs.org.uk

The Connectors have also set up a ‘Community Connector Corner’ at Waterloo Community Centre’s Community Kitchen following the success of the Year of Friendship’s launch event at the venue earlier this year. The Community Kitchen is open to all and takes place every Thursday from 12pm with lunch starting from £3.

Sefton OPERA (Older Persons Enabling Resource & Action) also hosts an extensive timetable of weekly social inclusion groups including tea dances, arts and crafts, swimming and IT workshops.

On the first Wednesday of every month, ‘Beating Loneliness Together’ is held at the Royal Hotel in Waterloo to bring local residents together to enjoy a new activity each month along with a cuppa and a biscuit.

Men are invited to attend ‘Men behaving brilliantly’ every Tuesday from 1pm to 2.30pm at Sefton Opera’s HQ in St Matthews Church, Bootle. The group is run by men for men and includes quizzes, darts, cards, board games, Tai Chi and days out.

If you, or somebody you know, is lonely but unable to get out and about, befriending services can arrange for somebody to pay a visit.

Volunteer befrienders to come and visit someone who is socially isolated in their own home, accompany them to an activity including shopping or just meet up for a coffee and a chat. There are a number of befriending services in Sefton including:

• Age Concern: Call 01704 542 993 or visit http://www.ageconcernliverpoolandsefton.org.uk
• Bootle Buddies: Call Mary on 0151 933 2116 or email maryorrelltrust@outlook.com

It’s also worth getting in touch if you feel like you could make a difference in somebody’s life as a befriending volunteer.

If you’re aware of any services or activities that promote friendships and work towards tackling social isolation, please send the details to communications@sefton.gov.uk