An initiative to help people with memory issues and those who care for them socialise enjoyed a successful launch in Loughton last week.

3Food4U has thanked Mirka Marri, from Find Your Active – West Essex, which has part funded the sessions, and Sally Ford for the “wonderful chair yoga” after the first 3Social&WarmPlace4U event was held in the town.

The sessions are open to anyone who would like to socialise, and are dementia friendly for people with varying degrees of memory issues and those who love and care for them.

They are activity based with singing, word games, puzzles, bingo and chair yoga and free light refreshments.

The next session will take place tomorrow from 10am to 12pm at St James’ Church Hall, Ongar, CM5 9EL, and then on Friday, January 27 from 2.30pm to 4.30pm at Waltham Abbey Baptist Church.

You can see details of all the sessions throughout the Epping Forest District Council area below:

Epping Forest Guardian:

No booking is required and further details are available to calling 01992 842642 Epping Forest’s largest emergency food agency is also grateful for the support of the High Sheriff of Essex, Nick Alston OBE DL.

Epping Forest Guardian: Nick Alston with 3Food4U founder Pesh Kapasiawala.Nick Alston with 3Food4U founder Pesh Kapasiawala. (Image: 3Food4U)

He said: “The next concert that I am attending, and very happy to promote, is on January 21 at St John's Church Epping at 7.30pm with the Epping Chorus. The event is free, and open to everyone.

“I will be thanking them for enriching our communities with music and also thanking the volunteers of 3Food4U, and all who support the work of that charity, in helping the increasing numbers of those in need in the area.”

Epping Forest Guardian:

3Food4U has a fundraising page at https://www.stewardship.org.uk/partners/20356308. The community surplus hubs are open as follows:

  • Monday: Waltham Abbey - 13 Sun Street - 11.30am to 1pm
  • Tuesday: Loughton - Loughton Club, 8 Station Road - 11.30am to 1pm
  • Wednesday: Chigwell Row - All Saints Church Hall, Romford Road - 5pm to 6.30pm
  • Thursday: Ongar - Zinc Arts Centre, High Street - 1pm to 2.30pm
  • Friday: Waltham Abbey - 13, Sun Street - 11.30am to 1pm

For further details, visit 3food4u.org, email info.3food4u@gmail.com or call 01992 842642.