Friends Altogether in Rother / FAiR

Who we are

Friends Altogether in Rother (FAiR) - is a new Charity, registered in June 2023. We are currently providing a monthly Saturday Social 'Tilling, Tea and Cake' and are looking to start providing Befriending April/May 2024.service, initially for 60+ age group.

Our Vision and Mission.

Encouraging people to develop Friendship, Fellowship and Fun through Social interaction within our Rother community.

How will we do this:
To relieve people aged 60+ who are in need, in particular but not exclusively, those who are lonely and isolated in the ward of Rother District Council and the surrounding areas by the provision of support services including a Befriending service and facilities in the interest of social welfare for recreation and other leisure time occupation with object of improving their conditions of life.

Our Befriending services (2024) ‘Telephone service’ and ‘Face to Face’  will be provided by ‘Fully Trained Volunteers’

Potential clients will be buddied with a volunteer. Our Community Volunteer Training Co-ordinator will discuss with both volunteer and client, to ensure both are compatible to ensure they receive the necessary support.

Experience has shown me that many clients end up becoming Volunteer befrienders. It is extremely rewarding. 

Social Events:

We intend to collaborate with existing community organisations and Health and Wellbeing professionals throughout East Sussex to provide a wider variety of opportunities for our clients to be part of. All with the intention of improving people’s health & wellbeing.

A quote really registered with me and the trustees. It was spoken by an attendee - in her 70s - at one of our consultation events in 2022 :

‘Chris, older people have brains - we are intelligent. We need social events to engage us, stimulate us. To provide the opportunity to learn and make new friendships’.

So, in addition to Befriending, below are some of the suggestions made for us to consider and develop:

A Murder Mystery Lunch (confirmed March 23rd at The Mermaid Inn, Rye) outings to the Cinema, Theatre, to Hastings, Eastbourne, i360 in Brighton, Museums, National Trust Houses and Gardens, Wine Tastings, Demonstration Dancing, Walking Parties.

Our first Social event a monthly Saturday Social ‘Tilling, Tea and Cake’ at Tilling Green Community Centre the 3rd Saturday of each month 10am -12pm launched successfully in November with 33 in attendance with another 28 in December who received advice and guidance from Sussex Outreach Support, Fire & Rescue, Local Police and CAB1066.

Quote:

‘I received a warm welcome by the meeter and greeter, was introduced to other guests, received advice from CAB1066 whilst enjoying freshly made coffee and locally baked mince pies’.

Clearly, a great opportunity to relax on your own with a cuppa (Fresh Coffee or tea), even better with a group’ and enjoy pastries and cakes’ - either home baked or provided by one of our local bakers in the Rye area

Experience has shown us, a regular monthly place, to be welcomed at the door, to meet people and to receive information, sign posting to organisations based in East Sussex who can provide support and guidance to help them is popular.

Regular updates will be provided via the Rye News and our Facebook and Instagram pages as we progress and develop FAiR.

We look forward to welcoming existing and new ‘Friends’ in 2024.