A DEESIDE woman is ensuring shielding people don't suffer from loneliness amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Emma Leighton, from Hawarden, has taken her weekly social group at Oddfellows Hall on Saltney High Street online to give people much needed company.

She explained: "The group I run in Saltney is a weekly group and we meet and have a lovely chat over tea and a cake, but when that came to an end we were devastated.

"Many of our group are shielding too so that’s when We decided to try Zoom and take our coffee mornings online."

"I was nervous to go on camera at first I’m not one for looking at myself on camera but after I had completed my first online coffee morning I started to enjoy it.

"So much I’ve now created a games session too."

The Leader:

Emma says the group has drawn not just local people, but people from all over the UK and beyond, such as Holland.

She said: "The social online events have been so valuable for keeping in touch with people and we’ve seen many new faces too.

"While I understand online isn’t for everyone I highly recommend people try it, it could make all the difference to your wellbeing just being in regular company with others.

"During our online coffee morning we catch up with one another. See what everyone’s been doing that week it’s an opportunity to show off something you e been making and then we finish off with a few simple games or a quiz."

The group is now organising its 'in person' coffee mornings which it is hoped will restart in September, but because the online coffee mornings have been so well received Emma's decided to continue on with them.

To join in the online coffee morning or to request an events diary people can get in touch with Emma.leighton@oddfellows.co.uk. Or visit the website at www.oddfellows.co.uk.