Free Afternoon Social for Over 75s in Benfleet — Homelium Care & Re-engage

Are you aged 75 or over and looking for a friendly afternoon out? Or do you know someone who might benefit from some good company and a warm drink?

We have some exciting news and we would love for as many people as possible to come along.

On Thursday 27th August, Homelium Care Essex is joining forces with Re-engage, the national charity dedicated to tackling loneliness and social isolation among older people, to host a completely free afternoon social in Benfleet, Essex.

It is a warm, welcoming and completely relaxed event and everyone aged 75 and over is invited!

What Is the Event?

Our Activities and a Cuppa afternoon is exactly what it sounds like, a friendly, informal gathering with free hot drinks, fun activities and wonderful company in a safe and welcoming space.

There is no agenda, no formal programme and no pressure to do anything you do not want to do. Just a lovely afternoon out with like-minded people and the chance to meet some new faces along the way.

Whether you are looking for social connection, want to find out more about community support available in your area, or simply fancy getting out of the house for a couple of hours, you are warmly welcome.

📅 Thursday 27th August

⏰ 2:00pm — 3:30pm

📍 Burrell Wellbeing Centre, SS7 4BS

☕ Free refreshments provided

🎉 Activities included

✅ Free to attend — open to anyone aged 75 and over

To register your place, simply call 0800 716 543 and then just come along on the day and say hello!

About Re-engage

Re-engage is a national charity that has been tackling loneliness and social isolation among older people for over 50 years, formerly known as Contact the Elderly.

Their mission is simple but profound: to provide vital, life-enhancing social connections for older people at a time in their lives when their social circles are diminishing. Through volunteer-led social groups, telephone befriending services and meaningful shared experiences, Re-engage helps people over 75 who may have felt very alone to feel valued, heard and part of a community again.

The statistics behind their work are striking. There are currently over 2.2 million people aged 75 and over living alone across the UK, many of whom go days, sometimes weeks, without meaningful social contact. Research consistently shows that loneliness has a significant and measurable impact on physical and mental health, comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It is a public health issue that deserves far more attention than it receives.

Re-engage is working to change that, one coffee morning, one phone call and one friendship at a time.

To find out more about Re-engage and how to get involved as a guest or volunteer, visit www.reengage.org.uk

Why Homelium Care Is Getting Involved

At Homelium Care Essex, we have always believed that care extends far beyond the practical support we provide during our visits. The people we support are whole human beings with social, emotional and community needs that are just as important as their physical health and loneliness and isolation can be just as damaging to a person's wellbeing as any medical condition.

That is why partnerships like this one with Re-engage matter so much to us. We are not just a home care provider, we are an active, visible member of the Essex community, committed to making sure that no older adult feels forgotten or alone.

Our Essex Branch Manager, Loraine Mayes, explains why this event means so much to the team:

"Loneliness among older people is something we see the impact of every single day and it's something we feel a deep responsibility to help address. Partnering with Re-engage felt like the most natural thing in the world. They do extraordinary work in connecting isolated older people with friendship and community and we're proud to stand alongside them in that mission. We hope as many people as possible will come along on the 27th, enjoy a coffee and leave feeling a little less alone."

Who Should Come Along?

This event is open to anyone aged 75 and over in the local Benfleet and surrounding Essex community, no referral needed, no prior connection to Homelium or Re-engage required.

You might want to come along if you:

• Live alone and would enjoy an afternoon of friendly company

• Have recently moved to the area and are looking to meet new people

• Are feeling isolated or disconnected from your local community

• Would simply enjoy a free afternoon out with a warm drink and some fun activities

• Want to find out more about what community support is available locally

And if you are a family member, carer or healthcare professional reading this, please do share it with anyone in your life who might benefit from an afternoon like this. An invitation from someone they trust could make all the difference to someone who might not feel confident coming along alone

About Homelium Care Essex

Homelium Care Essex provides award-winning home care and live-in care across Basildon, Wickford, Southend-on-Sea, Canvey Island and surrounding areas, helping older adults live safely, comfortably and independently at home.

We have been named a Top 20 Large Home Care Group in the UK for both 2025 and 2026 by homecare.co.uk, recognition based entirely on reviews from the families we support across Essex and beyond.

Alongside our care services, our Essex team is deeply committed to being an active, visible presence in the local community, running regular events, hosting information stands and working alongside organisations like Re-engage to ensure no older adult feels forgotten or alone.

If you would like to find out more about home care with Homelium, or if you or a loved one might benefit from some extra support at home, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Our friendly team is always happy to chat, with no pressure and no obligation.

📞 0333 3448 677 ✉️ hello@homelium.com

Come and Join Us

We cannot wait to welcome you. Whether you come along for the activities, the refreshments or simply the company, there is a warm welcome waiting for you at the Burrell Wellbeing Centre on Thursday 27th August.

Just call 0800 716 543 to register and then come along and say hello!

We hope to see you there.