Good for you! Friends launch new club to help women beat loneliness
Group provides vital network of fun activities
A community group is hoping to tackle the issue of loneliness by encouraging women to enjoy a range of fun activities.
Anne Smith and Joan Masterton founded the Good For You Club, which is for women aged 40-80+, in Perth and Kinross to help people become happier, healthier and fitter.
The club currently has 304 members, with its own private app, providing the opportunity to connect with others who have similar interests, such as knitting, crafting, board games, food and fitness.
The Sunday Post is currently partnering with Age Scotland, Bafta-winning actor Gary Hollywood and leading politicians in a campaign to cut chronic loneliness and isolation in half by the end of the decade.
The Big Braw Community initiative was launched after experts warned hundreds of thousands of us are at a 50% higher risk of dementia as a result of loneliness.
Joan said: “Our inspiration came from our walking football group. Anne and I met by both attending the walking football and we both recognised the many benefits we had from it.
“We subsequently grew that group to just under 40 women and watching them is what gave us the inspiration for the Good For You club.
“We witnessed so many improvements in their mental, physical and emotional health. We thought this is great for women that like football, but what about those that don’t?
“What about the other women who are sitting at home and could benefit from finding like-minded women where they could find something they enjoy?
“How do women find each other, especially if they are suffering from anxiety and loneliness, which we found in our research to be at frightening levels?
Joan continued: “People are not leaving their houses. They admit to being isolated and not knowing how to get out. So we thought we needed a platform for women to meet so we got a private app and thought we’d start a club.
“Now women can connect without even meeting, so they can chat online if they like.”
Liz Irvine from Blairgowrie, who is a member of the club, said: “I have really enjoyed being a part of the Good For You Club.
“Since moving here seven years ago, I’ve gone from working to retirement, through lockdown, to babysitting five days a week for my grandchildren.
“My unpredictable schedule makes it a challenge to get out to regular organised events, such as yoga or keep fit, and meet like-minded people.
“The club allows you to connect with people with the same interests as yourself, at times and places that are convenient for you.
“It’s very easy to use the app and it has definitely been beneficialforme.
“Since joining the club I’ve made lots of new friends and am improving my fitness and wellbeing through walking and socialising with them.”
Sunday Post editor Dave Lord said: “We loved hearing about this initiative.
“It is exactly the kind of thing that can help to build a Big Braw Community – and banish the loneliness and isolation that can have such a debilitating impact.”