A new start in Norfolk
Settling into a new area can be tough, but for Christine the help of a ready-made group of friendly locals made all the difference to her big move.
Christine, 73, took the opportunity to relocate from Dartford to King’s Lynn in Norfolk when her son invited her to move with him and his family. “I’d been keen to move away from Dartford for quite a while, but didn’t want to be too far from my family. I’ve always liked the idea of trying out somewhere new, meeting new friends and exploring new places. So, when my Son asked if I’d like to move with them to Norfolk, I saw it as the perfect opportunity,” said Christine. The grandmother of six credits much of her new-found comfort to her local Oddfellows group, which provided her with a ready-made set of friends who helped her explore the area. Christine, who joined the King’s Lynn Branch after spotting an advert in a local supermarket, said: “It was important to me to make my own
group of friends and a life for myself – I don’t think I could have done that quite so quickly and effortlessly without the Oddfellows. “Before lockdown began, I would go along to coffee mornings, lunches and exercise classes and we’d have a good laugh. Not to mention the coach trips across Norfolk and further afield, which helped me to explore the area. I’m looking forward to meeting up again now social restrictions are easing.”
For more than two centuries, the Oddfellows has offered friendship and support and is one of the UK’s largest friendly societies, with 404,000 members and 115 Branches. It’s a non-profit mutual (membership from £25 per year) run by members, for members, to improve the quality of people’s lives.
Members are invited to regular social events run by their local Branch, such as coffee mornings, walks, craft sessions, lunches out, guest talks and
excursions.
There are also online activities and Oddfellows Travel group holidays, in addition to benefits such as care and welfare advice and support, special member discounts and historical archive access.*
Christine also added: “Home is more than just bricks and mortar, it’s the community you surround yourself with, and the people who make you feel happy – wherever that may be. Of course, you don’t have to go to a new place to find it, but you also don’t have to stay somewhere that’s not right for you anymore.”
INFORMATION:
To learn more about the Oddfellows (oddfellows.co.uk/newstart) and to receive a free information pack and local events diary, call 0800 028 1810 or email enquiries@oddfellows.co.uk.
*Terms and conditions apply to all member benefits and services. For details visit www.oddfellows.co.uk/ terms-conditions, or call
0800 028 1810.