ISOLATION has proved a challenge for many members of the community, with the elderly among those significantly impacted, but one Mount Gambier couple is hoping to generate a sense of community for the socially disconnected.
Barb and Kevin Porter met in 1992 after joining a group called 45 Plus, created for people seeking friendship and companionship, as well as those new to Mount Gambier.
Although the group’s intended to connect people to form friendships, it achieved much more with the pair getting married years later.
“The group actually resulted in four marriages and seven relationships,” Ms Porter said.
“It was a great thing for us and we still catch up with people from the group to this day.”
However, when COVID-19 restrictions came into effect in March, members of the group were again back on their own.
“During the isolation we have had lots of phone calls asking if there is something happening,” she said.
“Some people have been really struggling, they will say they are okay, but the next few words can give away how they are really feeling.”
Now called the Seniors Friendship Group, members normally catch up for dinner once a fortnight at a local eatery and Ms Foster is hopeful this can happen again in the near future.
“Everyone in the group is over 65 years of age and a meal on your own is not fun, so we are really keen to get a dinner organised for them,” she said.
“People miss those meals with friendly people on a Saturday night.”
Ms Foster said they have had an increased focus on keeping in touch with members during the pandemic and will continue to do so.
“It is more crucial than ever at the moment to keep in touch, so we have been ringing some of the people in the group and keeping in touch,” she said.
“We encourage people to come forward, because we are by no means professionals, but sometimes people just need someone to talk to and spend time with.”
To connect with the Seniors Friendship Group, Barb Porter can be contacted on 0418 528 294.
