A VOLUNTEER has set up a community coffee morning to help encourage people in Brinnington get socially active after lockdown.
Jim Glindon, 54, says joining a local walking football project, delivered in partnership by Age UK Stockport and Life Leisure, has worked wonders for his physical and mental health after the restrictions of the pandemic.
Now he is hoping to inspire others by hosting a weekly community coffee morning at Brinnington Leisure Centre, which will focus on providing people with a place to socialise as well as opening up opportunities to get moving.
Dad-of-one Jim, from Brinnington, said: "I think a lot of people have struggled during lockdown and perhaps don’t know where to start, so I thought a community coffee morning could be a good way of encouraging people to get out and about to socialise and get a little more active.
"It's a free coffee morning where you can just come chat, if you're entered in taking part in some of the community events that's great, but there's no obligation at all. For some people just walking down each week will be enough to get moving a little more."
Jim, who volunteers with Age UK Stockport, said: "Being active has really changed my mental health and sense of wellbeing, so I hope that this coffee morning can do the same for some others who maybe don't know where to start or feel a little overwhelmed to commit to a new class or sports sessions."
Jim runs the weekly coffee morning with support from Age UK Stockport's Ageing Well lead Dominic Bell and Life Leisure, which provides the space in the community room.
Dominic said: "It is amazing to see what Jimmy has achieved so far and we look forward to seeing how the cafe evolves to improving the health and wellbeing of the community."
Gareth Ball, active communities’ officer for Life Leisure, said: "We are really happy to support Jim's weekly coffee morning. Being active isn't always about taking part in an exercise class, it's about being motivated to try something new which can get you moving a little more. We think the coffee morning is a brilliant idea and we are more than happy to support it."
The coffee morning, which is open to all residents, takes place in the community room at Life Leisure in Brinnington every Thursday from 10:30am - noon and visitors are welcome to drop in.