Major milestone for community group

SOCIAL inclusion group A Cuppa with Company is celebrating five years of bringing people together and breaking isolation.

The group was set up by former Uniting Emergency Relief counsellor Angela Draper to provide a safe and warm space for people in need of support.

Since its inception, over 6000 meals have been prepared and initiatives such as a Christmas toy drive and weekly bingo have started.

Acting coordinator Sophia Walker said the weekly cuppa runs from 10am to 1.30pm with lunch provided, and usually 40 to 60 people turn up.

“Most of the people here are regulars they’ve been coming for years,” she said.

“Sometimes we get just the odd person dropping in just for a chat or a cuppa. They can talk if they want to, they don’t have to, but it’s a really good group to have.”

“We also see some of regulars take on worker roles, such as taking check-ins or running the bingo, little things that make them feel included.”

Ms Walker said anyone and everyone is welcome, from people simply feeling lonely to those who need extra support who can then be directed to agencies such as Haven; Home, Safe or Centre for Non-Violence.

“The highlight for me has been seeing the relationships made between people who a few years ago didn’t know each other,” she said.

“A lot of them see each other outside of this program, they stay connected.

“Another highlight is when we’ve had people who’ve been in a difficult situation, and we’ve seen them get jobs or get their house and have been able to be more comfortable.”

A Cuppa with Company meets every Thursday at the Uniting Church Hall on Forest Street.