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Sileby Good Companions Group

I'm getting to know other people. I love the crafts and all the staff are lovely and helpful! It's helping me to integrate with people

‐ Participant

I am becoming more aware of my local community and gaining confidence to mingle with new people regardless of any age or gender difference. Some of the activities are quite therapeutic and relaxing and have encouraged me to do activities by myself away from the group

‐ Participant

Was recommended to attend by my doctor. Very sceptical to begin with but thoroughly enjoyed each session

‐ Participant

The group has gone very well, and I am hopeful it will continue to have a lasting impact on lots of people both attending now and, in the future

‐ Senior Social Prescriber

The attendees have enjoyed coming to the library and having the opportunity to get together. The aim is to sustain the group for the future

‐ Sileby Library Trustee

Group members sat around a craft table

Sileby Good Companions is a weekly social group which launched at Sileby Community Library in February 2022.

Working in partnership with Social Prescribers from the Charnwood GP Network, participants were invited to come along for crafts, board games, tea, biscuits and a natter!

The first session was a great success, with participants forging new friendships whilst also trying their hand at creating a fabric coaster. Portia Jayne Textile Designs, our invited crafts tutor, was on hand to offer valuable tips and advice.  Over the weeks that followed activities on offer included Easter wreath making, creating ‘book art’ and an introduction to adult colouring. Local author David Bell, entertained the group with his popular talk ‘Leicestershire in the 40s and 50s’.

The aim of this group is for lonely or socially isolated members of the Sileby community to have somewhere to meet once a week, which offers the opportunity to make new friendships and to take part in an enjoyable and relaxing activity. The intention is for participants to experience a sense of belonging and connection and to feel that the group is playing a part in improving their wellbeing. By what we’ve seen so far, these aims are well on the way to being met!

To ensure the longevity of the group, we supported the library to recruit a Social Group Volunteer who is now leading on planning and delivery of activities.

Find out more about Sileby Library here http://silebylibrary.org/