A coffee morning that was set up to help people who are feeling lonely has been given a new venue.

A Heart for Abbots Langley meetings were disrupted due to the pandemic and the group has not been able to get together regularly since March 2020.

Organisers have now found a new location and coffee mornings will be held every Thursday at the Methodist Hall in Langley Road, Abbots Langley, from June 23 between 10am and 12 noon.

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Judy Metcalfe, 68, lives in the village and has been going to the group since 2017. She first went with a friend but became a volunteer when the group needed more help.

She said: “The morning is for everyone, anybody who wants to go, can. If you are lonely, come in. It will help mentally for people to get out and meet new people.”

Ms Metcalfe, who is married with two sons, said she enjoys getting to meet new people.

Watford Observer: People come together to drink tea and coffee and eat cakes. Picture: Judy Metcalfe People come together to drink tea and coffee and eat cakes. Picture: Judy Metcalfe

She said: “It’s nice to talk to them and discover what they have done in their lives. We obviously converse and I tell them what I have done in my life. It’s about making new friendships.”

The coffee mornings have become a safe space for many people, in particular people who have lost a loved one.

Ms Metcalfe explained: “I met a lady who had lost her husband two or three weeks ago.  She was standing at the bus stop looking a bit lonely. I just asked her in for the coffee morning. She has come back since; made friends and she is a lot happier. It has boosted her quite a bit.”

Watford Observer: Marcus Coultrup, one of the founding members of the group. Picture: Judy MetcalfeMarcus Coultrup, one of the founding members of the group. Picture: Judy Metcalfe

The coffee morning is for people of all ages and gender.  

Team leader Ann Johnson said they are also looking for more volunteers.

She said: “The beauty of the coffee morning is that the volunteers will chat with somebody if they see them sitting on their own.”

The proceeds from the mornings are donated to charities once a year.

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