A TEAROOM has chosen to help a charity that helps tackle loneliness in the community.

Beatons Tearooms opened its doors in Moreton-in-Marsh on 3rd June 2019 and is the sixth Beatons in the south of England. Each year, every tearoom picks a local charity to support.

Yvonne Lynch, franchisee at Beatons in Moreton said, “The charity we choose has to offer services that mean a lot to the local community. Cotswold Friends appeared to be the obvious choice because the community is very much involved in the charity, it is very local and it helps people not only in Moreton but across the North Cotswolds. We have a lot of people coming into the tearoom who are on their own and want to go somewhere to make links and friendships with others. We want to be at the hub of the community, but also to be a part of the community.”

All of Cotswold Friends’ services including Community Transport, Befriending, Carer Respite and Community Activities are aimed at combatting loneliness and reducing isolation. In conjunction with Cotswold Friends, Beatons has now launched ‘Welcoming Wednesdays’, setting aside a table for anyone who would like to get together for a natter with others.

Yvonne said, “Anyone can come and join our Neighbourhood Natter on a Wednesday but we are hoping that people who might be at home on their own, perhaps without friends or family visiting, will come and socialise and maybe make friendships that continue outside of the tearooms.”

Marketing Manager at Cotswold Friends, Jo Hammond said, “We are so pleased that Yvonne and Beatons have chosen to support us this year and we are really looking forward to working together. Welcoming Wednesdays is a lovely idea. In such a rural area loneliness and isolation can be a real problem, particularly for older people who may no longer be able to drive. Our Community Transport Service can help with travel. Just call our Bookings Desk on Tel: 01608 651115.”

Beatons is also raising money for Cotswold Friends by donating 50p for every Community Chai Latte purchased in the Moreton tearooms. To find out more about Welcoming Wednesdays, call in to Beatons Tearooms, High Street, Moreton-in-Marsh or Tel: 01608 239806. If Cotswold Friends might be able to help you or someone you know, please call into the main office in the Moreton Area Centre, High Street, Moreton-in-Marsh or Tel: 01608 651415.