Today I’m very pleased to introduce a Chandler’s Ford blogger to you: Wendy.
Wendy keeps a lovely blog about moving into Chandler’s Ford, called Chandlers Ford Connect.
“Chandlers Ford Connect: Sharing the travels of Wendy and Lou as we get to know Chandlers Ford, making friends along the way……”
Local dog walkers may have met Wendy and Lou before:
Wendy, who moved from West Sussex, explained the reason why she started her blog: “Connect in later life – I started Chandlers Ford Connect to try to combat the loneliness that can creep up on those of us who are a little older (I am in my 70s).”
Wendy said in her blog: “I would love to read your comments, contributions to discussions or even just random thoughts!”
In a recent blog post, Wendy mentioned the problem of loneliness, especially at Christmas time.
Help an older person this Christmas
In this blog post, Wendy shares the One Million Minutes initiative by itv Good Morning Britain:
“There are more than 1 million older people who are chronically lonely. Yet it only takes a minute to make someone’s day.
Christmas and the New Year is one of the loneliest times for older people. That’s why Good Morning Britain is launching our 1 Million Minutes campaign to ask you to pledge just 30 minutes of your time to help an older person.”
So far many people have pledged 37 million minutes, to help an elderly neighbour, friend or relative before Christmas.
This campaign is teamed up with The Silver Line, Royal Voluntary Service, Age UK and Campaign to End Loneliness.
Get in touch with Wendy
Wendy said, “In this spirit I would like to encourage anyone who reads this to spread the word about my blog, I would love to make contact with as many older people as I can, whether online or by phone.”
Wendy would love to get to know more friends in Chandler’s Ford. You could leave a message to her and get in touch via her blog.
Wendy moved to Chandler’s Ford in 2010 to live closer to her family. With her ‘scatty Red Setter Lou’, they have met some new friends. They both prefer a more gentle and relaxing amble around the local area, though Wendy suspects that “Lou is being kind to me because she does rather like to tear around like a mad thing when I’m not looking”.
The Hospice Shop volunteer
Wendy’s blog contains interesting stories of her everyday life. For example, she shares her finds at The Hospice Shop in Hiltingbury where she volunteers. Her blog is also full of useful information about Chandler’s Ford, including a list of her recommendations about local cafe and shops, charity shops, groups and local services.
What is Atrial Fibrillation (AF)?
Wendy also talks frankly about a condition which she suffers from, Atrial Fibrillation, an abnormal heart rhythm. According to British Heart Foundation, Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common forms of abnormal heart rhythm and a major cause of stroke.
I have enjoyed reading Wendy’s blog and have found her stories interesting. It’s an achievement of Wendy in setting up and running such a pleasant blog all by herself. I hope you would pop over and say ‘hi’ to her, and make it a very Chandler’s Ford connection.
Find Wendy and Lou at Chandlers Ford Connect
Image credit: All images via Wendy’s blog.
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I am the secretary of URC Ladies Afternoon Fellowship and we have a monthly meeting in the Frith hall at the Church in King’s Rd C/F on a Wednesday at 2.15 pm. We like to have a speaker who can give us a short talk, say half-hour, on interesting subjects. I would like to invite you to come and talk to us about loneliness, and wondered if you would be able to come on the Wednesday the 19th July? We are only a small group, about 12 usually, mostly the older generation, and finish our meetings with a chat over a cup of tea and biscuits. We can afford to pay a small fee if required.