News

The Reading District of the Oddfellows has raised £500 for Whitley’s Geoffrey Field Junior School, after hearing from the deputy headteacher, who sought help and support in building up the school’s library.

When Joy Warren’s husband of 50 years passed away, her confidence took a knock. Meeting new people and joining in again socially was a daunting prospect. Fortunately, just doors away were friendly neighbours Janet and Michael Porter who knocked on her door and invited her to join them at a local friendship group event.

The ways in which bereavement, and other losses, affect us are very personal and members often tell us they have joined the Society to make new friends after losing a partner.

Withdrawing socially is normal after losing a partner. But when the time feels right to join in again, here at the Oddfellows we can help make those daunting first steps a little easier to take.

There’s a new sport sweeping the country – Walking Football. It’s exactly as the name suggests – you play football, but walking instead of running. Not only does it have considerable health benefits, but it’s great fun and a fantastic way of making new friends on and off the pitch.

When a friend, relative or colleague's partner dies, it can be hard to know what to say or how to act. We’re often unsure if we should talk about it, or something else, if they want to see us, or if they want to spend time on their own. We may feel the need to ‘make things better’ or fear saying the wrong thing.