Warding off loneliness and creating memories through the arts

BRISTOL, U.K. - July 4, 2022 - PRLog -- As part of its loneliness awareness campaign, which aims to raise awareness of loneliness and reduce the stigma surrounding it, The Bristol Hippodrome has announced more dates for its Matinee Mingle meetups, providing more opportunities for older people to socialise in a relaxed and friendly environment.

The informal meetups which are supported by National Friendly and Age UK Bristol are continuing to play an active role in helping tackle loneliness and self-isolation amongst older people in the local community. The Matinee Mingles enable like-minded people to chat, laugh, share memories, and make new friends.

The launch of the new dates coincides with new government research which has revealed that there are direct links between chronic loneliness and mental health distress. As a result, there is a renewed effort to tackle loneliness as part of national recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Graham Singleton, CEO at National Friendly says, "We recognise that loneliness is higher than ever before, along with self-isolation and vulnerability due to the pandemic and the amount of digital interactions. Our charitable and community work has a simple objective, to make a fundamental difference to local lives, both today and tomorrow. That's why we, National Friendly, think it's vital to support The Matinee Mingle. The programme which was created to help ward off loneliness, has made a real difference to local lives in our wider community and gives people who would otherwise visit the theatre alone, the chance to meet new people before seeing a show."

The Matinee Mingle is free to attend and takes place an hour before selected mid-week matinee performances in The Bristol Hippodrome's Piano Bar. Arrival is from 1.30pm for a 2.30pm show or 1pm for a 2pm show. If you or someone you know would like to find out more and to book, call Rowan on 0117 302 3310 (option5) or email rowandodemont@theambassadors.com Rowan will reserve a place and will book your show ticket at the same time.

Dates for upcoming Matinee Mingles:

o    Bat out of Hell – Weds 10^th August at 2.30pm

o    Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat – Thurs 1^st Sept at 2.30pm

o    Disney's Beauty and the Beast – Weds 5^th October at 2.30pm

o    English National Ballet's Raymonda – Thurs 24^th November at 2pm

o    Jersey Boys – Weds 11^th Jan 2023 at 2.30pm

o    Girl From The North Country – Weds 1^st Feb 2023 at 2.30pm

o    Sister Act – Weds 8^th March 2023 at 2.30pm