Conservative councillors Myles Scrancher and Letitia Smith have used their enabling communities’ budget to allow a much-loved community; social and friendship group for the over 60’s to continue into the autumn of 2025.

Myles Scrancher Conservative councillor for Carlton Colville, Gisleham & Mutford said “Having visited the chinwag, I have seen first-hand how valuable the session is for the people that go. It was extremely well attended, and I got to talk to many of the residents who value it so greatly, I couldn’t allow this much needed and valued initiative to end due to funding issues. We all know that loneliness and cost of living issues are big problems and for one day a month the session provides a welcome respite for people who may be affected by these issues. 

He continued: “The volunteers and people that support the event every month are amazing and deserve the plaudits for making the Chinwag happen. I am very pleased, along with my fellow councillor Letitia Smith to be able to enable the continuation of the chinwag into the autumn of 2025 with our enabling communities funding. For anyone who would like to join the community chinwag, it’s held at the Uplands Community Centre, in Carlton Colville on the first Friday of every month 10am – 12pm”.

Sharon Hobbs, Community Engagement Co-ordinator, Communities Together East Anglia said: “The CommuniTEA Chinwag is a social and friendship group for people aged 60+ which has been running monthly in Carlton Colville for over two years and regularly sees around 40-50 people, supported by two members of staff and local volunteers from Lowestoft Men’s Shed and The Central Co-op.   The Chinwag runs for two hours each month and follows a simple but effective format of building trust and support for individuals, with a longer-term aim of building confidence, community interaction and friendship, we do this through a simple programme of activities, games, entertainment, information, and signposting and of course lots of chat, cups of tea and cake.  

We are therefore extremely grateful to Myles Scrancher & Letitia Smith, Conservative East Suffolk Councillors for their very kind donation of £2,175 towards the continuation of the CommuniTEA Chinwag in Carlton Colville until September 2025, and this will now enable us to continue to reduce social isolation and loneliness whilst enhancing the lives of those attending across the Lowestoft communities.”

East Suffolk Council’s Enabling Community Budgets (ECBs) support activities delivered by community, voluntary and social enterprise organisations. 

Community groups wishing to apply for Enabling Community Budget funding should contact their district councillor or visit: https://www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/.../enabling-communities.../

Photo attached shows (L-R): Jenny Day, Cllr Myles Scrancher and Sharon Hobbs.