A LOCAL church warden is hoping that regular community events and trips will help attract new members of the congregation and reduce the amount of elderly people suffering from loneliness.

Carol Williams, church warden at St Clement’s church in Boscombe, who runs the ministry for the elderly, emphasised the need for social groups to be made open and accessible to everyone, as it can help with dementia and other mental health issues.

According to Age UK, the number of people over 50 who suffer with loneliness in 2016/17 stood at 1.4 million and is expected to rise to two million by 2026.

Carol, who has served as a warden for six years, said: “It is very important to get elderly people involved in the church as there are so many lonely and unhappy people. We need to bring them in to provide them a bit of comfort and help them to socialise.”

The church provides community meals and soup lunch for members of the community, as well as other community events such as a knit and natter, markets and a community choir, all organised by Carol as part of her wardenship.

Carol continues: “It is difficult when helping elderly people because they think of it as their independence being taken away from them, when we’re just trying to help them.

“We do have two drivers as part of the church to pick people up and make sure they make it to services, but it’s not enough. When we have trips, there are usually four or five cars on the road, but we are working on that one.”

Two and a half years ago, St Clement’s church joined LOVECHURCH, a relatively new church group that also helps with St Swithun’s church in Bournemouth.

The events that Carol organised would not be possible without the help of her group of six ladies, who she says are “the most wonderful people”, as well as Hope in the Community, a charity which provides support for faith groups.

The church will be hosting its free soup lunch on the first Thursday of every month, and one took place this week.

The community meals are held on the third Thursday each month.

For more information on events and how to get involved, visit the LOVECHURCH website.