A welcoming space awaits you at the Open Mental Health hub, 2 Fore Street, Bridgwater, TA6 3HN, where you can enjoy a weekly coffee morning with free drinks and good company organised by Jo Poole, a volunteer with Second Step. They take place every Friday from 10 am to midday, except for the last Friday of each month.
Jo says, “My colleague and friend, Robyn Butler, and I had been talking for a long time about setting up a coffee morning group in Bridgwater. Finally, we have! Everyone is welcome, and everything is free. We have a great range of hot and cold drinks, healthy snacks, and not-so-healthy snacks! If anyone wants to do some drawing or colouring, there is art and craft stuff out each week. We also have jigsaws you can take away and borrow. And if you fancy getting your nails painted whilst you’re having a coffee, that’s available too!”
The coffee mornings offer a relaxing and comfortable environment. Jo says, “The OMH hub is a beautiful, newly renovated building in the centre of town, just near the river. I run the group with the lovely ladies from Second Step, Lottie and Robyn. We wanted to tell those who are having support from Open Mental Health about the group and that it’s a warm, safe space where everyone is welcome.”
Jo is pleased that the coffee mornings are attracting a lot of attention. “We have been open for about six weeks. We’ve had such a great time setting it up. It’s a bit nerve-wracking starting something new, but each week, people have come in, and some have come back week after week! Some come along who are having support from OMH, which is just so great. We’ve had people see the sign outside, and they’ve ventured in for a cuppa and a chat. We’ve also had some people who work in OMH come along, and they’ve told me they enjoy being there, and it does them good.”
The weekly free drop-in coffee mornings are welcoming events where people can come together to connect over tasty treats, drinks and friendly conversations. They’re a space filled with warmth and compassion and offer an opportunity to forge new friendships or strengthen existing ones.
Jo says, “I feel so positive about our coffee mornings. They really are for anyone and everyone who has a bit of free time on a Friday morning. Our hope is that people will come and meet others and make friends, and the isolation that many of us feel will become a little less.”
Whether you’re seeking a moment of relaxation, a chance to exchange ideas, or the comfort of good company, you are invited to this caring gathering every week. So mark your calendar and join Jo, Lottie and Robyn for the next coffee morning. They’re looking forward to giving you a warm welcome.