Popular Ipswich pub The Kingfisher is helping to beat social isolation in the wake of lockdown, by joining the Meet Up Mondays network.

Ipswich Star: Penny Youngs-Debnam, landlady of the Kingfisher pub in Ipswich, where a new Meet Up Mondays event is being held Picture: DENISE BRADLEYPenny Youngs-Debnam, landlady of the Kingfisher pub in Ipswich, where a new Meet Up Mondays event is being held Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

The pub, in Hawthorn Drive, is now holding a regular get-together from 9.30am to 11.30am every Monday for anyone who is feeling fed up with being on their own and wants to make new friends.

Landlady Penny Youngs-Debnam is organising the meet-ups together with social prescribers at Hawthorn Drive Surgery.

“I think it’s very important, especially in these times, to have these meet-ups,” Mrs Youngs-Debnam said.

Ipswich Star: Debbie Finch of Hawthorn Drive Surgery in Ipswich is an organiser of the new Meet Up Mondays at The Kingfisher pub Picture: DEBBIE FINCHDebbie Finch of Hawthorn Drive Surgery in Ipswich is an organiser of the new Meet Up Mondays at The Kingfisher pub Picture: DEBBIE FINCH (Image: DEBBIE FINCH)

“One woman said to me that she has no contact with anybody.”

MORE: Emergency funding for Rural Coffee CaravanThe meet-ups happen before the pub opens for the day, and are in a separate area, with free hot drinks and biscuits as well as friendly chat.

Debbie Finch, a social prescriber at the surgery, said: “During lockdown myself and my colleague Vicky were calling patients to ensure they had access to food and medication. A lot of what came out of those calls was, a lot of people don’t see another human for days, or sometimes weeks or months.

Ipswich Star: Vicky Vincent of Hawthorn Drive Surgery in Ipswich is an organiser of the new Meet Up Mondays at The Kingfisher pub Picture: VICKY VINCENTVicky Vincent of Hawthorn Drive Surgery in Ipswich is an organiser of the new Meet Up Mondays at The Kingfisher pub Picture: VICKY VINCENT (Image: VICKY VINCENT)

“We became concerned, as the days were becoming shorter, that some patients would be sitting indoors with the curtains closed from 4pm.

MORE: 17,000 older people in Suffolk feel lonely“It played on my mind so I approached the wonderful Meet Up Mondays (Rural Coffee Caravan) and Penny from The Kingfisher. Last Monday was our first meet-up and it was wonderful.

“Penny had the log fire going and, although we only had a handful of visitors, the chit chat was flowing. During the meet-up we were also able to signpost a patient to outside organisations.”

People will be put in bubbles of six based on interests, and you do not have to be a patient at Hawthorn Drive.

You can just go along to the meet-up, but if you have queries, you can call The Kingfisher on 01473 680300.

For more details on Meet Up Mondays, visit the website.