Newsletter 11

A note from Andrea Hello everyone, and welcome to the July newsletter. I’m Andrea, founder of my widowed friends and I send these updates each month. It’s been pretty hot so far for July, but most meetings have gone ahead regardless. This month the newsletter is different to normal — I’m reporting on our Summer Lunch event and answering questions that members have asked about. The mwf Summer Lunch The Summer Lunch was last Thursday — personally I loved seeing real people instead of names on a list! We started with a talk about “Hidden Cornwall” from Mark Camp, a professional Blue Badge tourist guide and author specializing in Cornwall’s history, culture, and heritage. He talked about some fascinating areas (that several members tell me they are off to explore). After the talk Mark set us a quiz — won by The Wreckers Team with 9/10 — excellent knowledge. Then it was time for lunch and a good chat. The venue had a few hiccups with the food, but everyone had a good time regardless. The cabbage will be talked about for some time! Questions and ideas from the members 1. Can we stay on for lunch after our meetings? Of course you can. Just ask other members if anyone else wants to stay and eat with you. 2. Can I get some posters? Just ask me and I will happily put some in the post to you. It really helps publicise the groups if you can put up some posters near you. 3. Can the groups be more flexible? I have to say no to this one. The extra admin that would be needed to be flexible on times, venues and days makes this very time consuming to arrange — I simply don’t have time available to do this. 4. Can we change venues? Venues are always decided by mwf and not by members. Having said that, I will consider a request to change venues but will need to check that the new venue proposed is suitable for mwf requirements and I will also consult all members of the group. Different venues suit different people and what seems a great venue for you, may not be so good for other members. 5. Can we meet for walks or other events? You certainly can. Outings extra to the coffee meetings are a great idea. These will need to be organised in the group meetings and should be an extra and not replace the meetings. Just discuss it with your group members and see who would like to go along. mwf organises the group coffee meetings, and the occasional all-group outing, the members must be responsible for organising anything else 6. Can I go to another group sometimes? Yes, just let me know which group and when. 7. Can 2 groups arrange to meet up? Can I organise an event for more than just my group? Wonderful ideas. If you want to arrange something then send me details of what, when and who is in charge. Make sure the event isn’t happening at the same time as your group coffee meeting. I will happily send details out to any or all other groups, depending on what you want to arrange. 8. Can you give me contact details for another member? Can you give a message to a member for me? No. I don’t pass on messages, except for events, and I can’t give you any personal contact details, as I keep all personal data confidential. Still thinking about joining? If you’re on the mailing list and haven’t yet decided whether you want to join, then feel free to contact me for any extra details you need. The quickest way is to email me (address at the end of this message). I’m happy to answer any questions you have. Our groups are built around something very simple: rebuilding a social life by having a cuppa with friends. It’s easy, informal, and something to look forward to each week. Remember that if you join, go to a couple of meetings within the first month, and then decide you don’t like it, you can have a full refund. If there isn’t a group in your area, then send me your name and post code. I keep a waiting list, and I will email you when we start a group near you. Stay connected Visit our website: http://www.mywidowedfriends.co.uk/ Find us on Facebook: my widowed friends Email Andrea: andrea@mywidowedfriends.co.uk And finally If you are thinking this might be the group for you, but you aren’t sure….why not give it a try…. it could make a real difference, to meet some people who understand and have a good chat. Andrea

A note from Andrea

Hello everyone, and welcome to the July newsletter. I’m Andrea, founder of my widowed friends and I send these updates each month. It’s been pretty hot so far for July, but most meetings have gone ahead regardless.

This month the newsletter is different to normal — I’m reporting on our Summer Lunch event and answering questions that members have asked about.

The mwf Summer Lunch

The Summer Lunch was last Thursday — personally I loved seeing real people instead of names on a list!

We started with a talk about “Hidden Cornwall” from Mark Camp, a professional Blue Badge tourist guide and author specializing in Cornwall’s history, culture, and heritage. He talked about some fascinating areas (that several members tell me they are off to explore). After the talk Mark set us a quiz — won by The Wreckers Team with 9/10 — excellent knowledge. Then it was time for lunch and a good chat. The venue had a few hiccups with the food, but everyone had a good time regardless. The cabbage will be talked about for some time!

Questions and ideas from the members

1. Can we stay on for lunch after our meetings?

Of course you can. Just ask other members if anyone else wants to stay and eat with you.

2. Can I get some posters?

Just ask me and I will happily put some in the post to you. It really helps publicise the groups if you can put up some posters near you.

3. Can the groups be more flexible?

I have to say no to this one. The extra admin that would be needed to be flexible on times, venues and days makes this very time consuming to arrange — I simply don’t have time available to do this.

4. Can we change venues?

Venues are always decided by mwf and not by members. Having said that, I will consider a request to change venues but will need to check that the new venue proposed is suitable for mwf requirements and I will also consult all members of the group. Different venues suit different people and what seems a great venue for you, may not be so good for other members.

5. Can we meet for walks or other events?

You certainly can. Outings extra to the coffee meetings are a great idea. These will need to be organised in the group meetings and should be an extra and not replace the meetings. Just discuss it with your group members and see who would like to go along. mwf organises the group coffee meetings, and the occasional all-group outing, the members must be responsible for organising anything else

6. Can I go to another group sometimes?

Yes, just let me know which group and when.

7. Can 2 groups arrange to meet up? Can I organise an event for more than just my group?

Wonderful ideas. If you want to arrange something then send me details of what, when and who is in charge. Make sure the event isn’t happening at the same time as your group coffee meeting. I will happily send details out to any or all other groups, depending on what you want to arrange.

8. Can you give me contact details for another member? Can you give a message to a member for me?

No. I don’t pass on messages, except for events, and I can’t give you any personal contact details, as I keep all personal data confidential.

Still thinking about joining?

If you’re on the mailing list and haven’t yet decided whether you want to join, then feel free to contact me for any extra details you need. The quickest way is to email me (address at the end of this message). I’m happy to answer any questions you have.

Our groups are built around something very simple: rebuilding a social life by having a cuppa with friends. It’s easy, informal, and something to look forward to each week.

Remember that if you join, go to a couple of meetings within the first month, and then decide you don’t like it, you can have a full refund.

If there isn’t a group in your area, then send me your name and post code. I keep a waiting list, and I will email you when we start a group near you.

Stay connected

Visit our website: http://www.mywidowedfriends.co.uk/

Find us on Facebook: my widowed friends

Email Andrea: andrea@mywidowedfriends.co.uk

And finally

If you are thinking this might be the group for you, but you aren’t sure….why not give it a try…. it could make a real difference, to meet some people who understand and have a good chat.

Andrea