A Wimbledon pub is pioneering a new weekly initiative to combat loneliness.
The Alexandra, on Wimbledon Hill Road, is hosting ‘Meet Up Mondays’ to show some love to those who are lonely in the area by offering free sandwiches tea and coffee, free raffle and a free bingo.
The idea stemmed from the pub’s free three-course dinner on Christmas day for those who feel lonely.
Loneliness is horrible, everyone has experienced it from time to time. Come here Mondays Midday-1.30, meet up with like minded folks, FREE tea/coffee/sarnies, FREE bingo, FREE raffle. A right good laugh, when was the last time you had one of those? Come, trust us it’s great! pic.twitter.com/HU3r6gyHOE
— The Alexandra (@TheAlexSW19) January 12, 2018
Owner, Mick Lewis said: “We’ve been doing our Christmas day thing now for six years where we used to a free drink last two years free meal.
“There was definitely a demand for it as we gave out 62 meals!”
London was found to be the loneliest city according to the Time Out’s City Index survey as stigma surrounds the issue of loneliness.
The meet ups battle the stigma of loneliness and want to make it as easy as possible for people to come along and meet other people who feel the same way.
Admitting you feel lonely and coming to an event is the biggest obstacle and the pub has taken down all the barriers to help this.
Mick added: “We haven’t even scratched the surface of the surface. The hardest thing is getting people to come.
“No one used to talk about mental health and now it’s ok to say if there’s a problem.
“Unfortunately, loneliness hasn’t had that so far and there are lots of people who through no fault of their own feel lonely.”
With an aim to make friends, the meet up is attended by all ages from the retired to young people.
The pub received some raffles prizes and hopes for future donations as the owner states businesses in the area are very supportive.
The pub plans to continue to host the meet up’s every Monday with everything free, but if nobody comes it will fall through.
ENDS
