Active and In Touch

Active and In Touch Frome

For more information on how Active and In Touch can help you or am member of your family please ring: 07468 859453 or email : enquiries @activeandintouch.org

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Although the weather outside was grey and frankly a little gloomy, it could not dampen the fun, golden light, colour and wonderful buzz within the Assembly Rooms on Sunday 13th October when Active and In Touch held its Active Autumn Lunch.
Over a hundred residents of Frome and the surrounding villages, alongside AIT Trustees and Volunteers enjoyed a three-course meal, showcasing the work of members and volunteers. Throughout the year, with the guidance and generosity of Sam Evans, they had been growing their own vegetables in the Walled Gardens in Mells. Their produce was then translated into pickles and preserves at a cookery workshop led by Bill Palmer and Teresa Hadland. Mahesh from Lungi Baba in Frome, did an amazing workshop on Southern Indian cooking and a further workshop with Sue Hidvegi from “Improve With Food” about cooking on a budget. This fantastic teamwork and learning resulted in – along with donations from various sources and funding from the Town Council and People’s Budget – a veritable feast comprising a choice of soups followed by quiche, potatoes, salad, chutneys and pickles, with a dessert of apple and blackberry crumble and cream rounded off with a welcome cup of tea or coffee. To judge by the number of members who embarked with gusto on “seconds” all of the input to making the food had been worthwhile whilst many members also left with a goodie bag of food to prolong the memory of this very happy occasion.
Welcomed by Julia di Castiglione, Chair of Trustees and Mark Dorrington, Frome’s Mayor, AIT members sat around tables beautifully decorated with an autumnal theme, chatting to each other and the volunteers, who were their waiters and waitresses for the day. There was much laughter to be heard, alongside enjoyment of the mellow music provided throughout the afternoon by Sabbas. The musical theme was further developed with a Sing-A-Long led by Alan Didymus, Vice Chair of AIT and Sabbas including such favourites as “Bring Me Sunshine” and “We’ll Meet Again”. One member commented it was fantastic to be with so many people who all had the same purpose - to combat loneliness through meetings and friendship.
A raffle caused ripples of excitement as winning tickets were drawn out of the hat by Jane Wood, the wife of previous Chair of Trustees, Charles Wood. She also baked the cake which not only helped to celebrate the birthday of a member, Di Neyens, but also acknowledged with gratitude her long service with AIT.
Julia summed up the event as “a fantastic occasion which reached out to so many people, some of whom had not been to this type of event before” and thanked all who had made contributions and given support, especially Di Roberts, AIT Assistant Co-ordinator who had led the whole team event. She had been supported and helped in different ways by Fiona Macintosh who made all the desserts, Hilary Gilmore who provided gluten free food, Bill Palmer who had given huge general support as well as leading the pickling and preserving workshops and the Trustees and Volunteers for their continual input throughout the year.

I cannot begin to describe what a difference Active and in Touch Frome makes to the health and welfare of my mother-in-law. Getting out of the house and the social contact with others is invaluable. The team go ‘above and beyond’ in their efforts to ensure she feels welcome and valued, whilst helping her to maintain her independence.