'Everything is better with a cuppa'

A community group aiming to help tackle social isolation says "everything is better with a cuppa" after being spurred into action by a suicide attempt.

Meeting weekly, the Coffee Connectors get together in Gateshead for a chat while also taking part in arts and crafts activities.

The group was set up after staff at Dunston's Staiths Cafe helped rescue a woman who had jumped into the nearby River Tyne.

Having been launched early last year, it is now set to continue for the foreseeable future after new funding was secured.

With the workers distressed by the incident, a meeting was set up with Gateshead Council, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue and the Teams and Dunston Alive community group (Tada).

The sessions in the cafe soon followed every Tuesday with a free hot drink provided.

"We spoke about what it would look like to create connection within the area so that people didn't feel isolated so much," says Tada's Christine Frazer.

"All of these themes and community aspects are better when they're done around a cup of tea, or coffee and a cake.

"One lady said she didn't know what she would do if she didn't have these Tuesday mornings.

"She lost her husband three months ago and hadn't been out of the house without him for 48 years."

Karolynne Hart, who is part of the council's arts team, said including crafts "takes away some of the awkwardness people can have".

"Sometimes they can find it daunting to go through a door for the first time, so I think the kind of welcome we provide is a leveller.

"Nobody needs to talk about their backstory. It's just 'hi, come and have a seat'.

"It's not about being the best at anything - it's not competitive. It's just about having a go, and if someone just wants to have a coffee that's absolutely fine."

Numbers rose from an initial handful and currently stand at about 20.

The youngest attendee is 25 with the eldest in their late 80s.

Among those taking part is Paul Kerr, who describes the venture as a "fantastic project".

"I went along and was blown away by what they were doing," he said.

"It brings them together and creates conversation. What a difference it makes for your health and well-being.

"I'm profoundly deaf, but here people have got time to sit down with you and allow you to be included in the conversation."

Following the Coffee Connectors' success in Dunston, a similar scheme is being launched elsewhere in the borough with a "pop-up living room" at Bensham Grove Community Centre.

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