10
April,
2024
A Dorset-based organisation helping with isolation, loneliness, and memory loss has launched a new session in West Moors to support people and carers across the county.
Community organisation In Jolly Good Company has launched a group session in West Moors. Jolly Days West Moors runs from 2pm every second and fourth Wednesday, and provides activities sessions to help people and carers improve physical and mental health.
The group’s first session, held at West Moors Guide Hall, saw around 20 local people enjoy activities provided by Yoga practitioner Suzanne Greenwood and In Jolly Good Company co-founder and musician, Kate Sheridan.
Set up in January 2019 by Sarah Rampton, In Jolly Good Company aims to alleviate physical and mental issues caused by loneliness and isolation, using low impact activities like singing, yoga, and exercise, to focus on positivity and look beyond lost skills.
Sarah said: “We’re really pleased to be able to launch our new session in West Moors, which means we can reach even more people across Dorset. Our mission is to help people both with and without memory loss, and I think that this first session was a great success. Through Jolly Days, people make new friends, keep mentally and physically active and try new things.
“We’d also like to invite and encourage others to join, and it’s very simple to do. We ask people and carers that’d like to take part to get in touch so that we can ensure our service meets their needs.”
In a recent Evaluation Report, the organisation’s Jolly Days sessions saw more than 86% of guests report feeling less lonely, with 84% reporting increased happiness.
The group’s new session has been financially supported by Talbot Village Trust, a grant giving charity that funds worthy causes across South-East Dorset. Trustee Sir Christopher Lees said: “As our population ages, we need to think about how we promote and support activities that stimulate our minds and bodies.
“It’s been a pleasure to support In Jolly Good Company, who do fantastic work across our county and work with a great range of stakeholders to provide an important service.”
In Jolly Good Company runs Jolly Days sessions in Shaftesbury, Wimborne, Blandford, and Wimborne St Giles, as well as ‘Step Outside’, a gardening-focused allotment group at National Trust Kingston Lacy.
