Rural Coffee Caravan's MeetUpMondays tackles loneliness

MeetUpMondays is a simple idea that is changing lives, especially for anyone who feels lonely or isolated. Developed by The Rural Coffee Caravan, a Suffolk charity that believes ‘loneliness is everyone’s business, MeetUpMondays events and groups now run at multiple venues across Suffolk, and beyond.  

MeetUpMondays at The Grosvenor, Felixstowe (Image: Rural Coffee Caravan)By reaching out to hospitality businesses, such as pubs and cafés, The Rural Coffee Caravan invites landlords and venue owners to join the community of like-minded people who host MeetUpMondays. These are weekly meetups on what used to be their quietest day of the week. With kindness and connection at the heart of it all, both the hosts, and local people who go along, glow with the feel-good factor it generates.  

Attendees have described it as ‘Life saving’, ‘Spirit lifting’ and “The gateway to new friends.” For many, it’s also a chance to access guaranteed warmth and welcome on a regular basis throughout winter, as well as year-round. 

Let MeetUpMondays brighten your day (Image: Rural Coffee Caravan)

For the White Horse in Thelnetham, hosting MeetUpMondays reinforced the community’s bid to save their local pub, which is now owned and run by the locals.

Sharon Riches, MeetUpMondays host co-ordinator told us: “We’ve reached many people [by hosting MeetUpMondays] but one testimonial resonates, touches my heart and inspires me: “I didn’t think I’d make it through another winter, now I will. It practically brought me to tears and made everything we’re doing worthwhile.” 

CEO of The Rural Coffee Caravan, Ann Osborn, said: “Maintaining contact with neighbours and the wider community is an essential part of wellbeing through the colder months. Pubs are experts at creating a cosy and inviting environment for this to happen, fostering that vital connection with people and place. With annual angst around energy prices, living costs and fuel payments, a warm welcome in a warm environment has never been more important." 

Shaun Waters, landlord of The Norman Warrior in Lowestoft, who has been hosting MeetUpMondays since 2018, said: “We wanted to give something back to the community that support us. It has been great to see the real difference it has made and to see the friendships grow.  

Enjoy a free coffee and make friends (Image: Rural Coffee Caravan)Volunteer Debbie, who hosts MeetUpMondays at the Fisher Theatre cafe, Bungay added: “Being part of the MeetUpMondays network has made us realise how such an easy and simple act, of offering a free hot drink and the chance to chat, makes such a difference, not only to our guests but to us as well. Our guests have become friends with each other and us. For many it's their reason to get up and come out on a Monday. It's made such a difference to an often-lonely former life.”  

Each MeetUpMondays pub or cafe offers their space up for local people to find some much-needed company for just an hour or two every week, providing a free cuppa to those attending. Free support materials and set up guidance are provided by The Rural Coffee Caravan. The meetups don’t all take place on a Monday, either! The network caters for all days of the week, with the host choosing the day that suits them and their business best. 

Ian Willis, landlord of the Butchers Arms, Beccles, recommends: “If you take it down to pure business it is good for trade and reputation, there really is no downside. Be a host! Seize the opportunity! Do some good!” 

The Rural Coffee Caravan is keen to recruit additional MeetUpMondays hosts among the region’s hospitality businesses.   

For more information about hosting MeetUpMondays email meetupmondays@ruralcoffeecaravan.org.uk and for a full list of active venues go to www.ruralcoffeecaravan.org.uk/meetupmondays-home.