Cotswold Friends

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Cotswold Friends

Our vision is that no older or vulnerable person in the Cotswolds is lonely or isolated We can also offer Community Transport in the Cirencester area.

We are a local charity providing friendship, support and transport to older and vulnerable people in the North Cotswold community. We aim to combat loneliness and isolation with our voluntary services, which improve health and wellbeing and support independent living. Cotswold Friends page is for sharing our services and our news with the Cotswold community (please see the map on our website for the areas we cover). Could we help you? Our seven services offer Community Transport, Befriending, Carer Support, Independence Support, Hospital Support, Community Activities and Intergenerational Projects. If you would like to know more, or think we might be able to help you or someone you know, please do get in touch. Could you volunteer? We always need more volunteers so if you are looking for a volunteering role to support your local Community we would be delighted to talk to you. Your commitment can be as little as an hour a week, or more if you have the time. We would like to thank all of our funders and sponsors and everyone who fundraises for the organisation, making it possible for Cotswold Friends to deliver services to the North Cotswold and Cirencester communities that support over 2,000 older and vulnerable people.

09/10/2026

💚 Small steps towards staying steady

Looking back at Falls Prevention Week in September, we were pleased to welcome Active Gloucestershire to Cotswold Friends in Moreton-in-Marsh.

The team handed out Fall-proof guides and visited our Men-in-Sheds groups, encouraging conversations about staying active and reducing the risk of falls.

The guides offer a range of simple exercises to help people keep moving and support their strength and balance—practical steps towards staying independent and confident in everyday life.

A huge thank you to Active Gloucestershire for sharing their advice and helping get these important conversations started!

08/10/2026

👂🎙️ Helping the sight impaired feel part of their community. 🎙️ 👂

Last month Karen Saffarian, Cotswold Friends’ Community Fundraiser & Age Friendly Champion Cotswolds, was interviewed by Margaret at the The Cotswold Listener about all things Cotswold Friends! You can listen to the interview here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bWaISGWvwe8dwOa04lnJar32sJGcTJYk/view

The Cotswold Listener is the free local talking newspaper for the sight impaired living in Cheltenham, Tewkesbury, and the North Cotswolds. Their purpose is to help those who are sight impaired, and those who can no longer access the written word due to a disability, stay in touch with what is happening locally and to stay aware of the issues that interest them, enabling them to live their lives more independently and feel part of their community. Their service is completely free of charge.

To find out more, visit their website: www.cotswoldlistener.co.uk

06/10/2026

💚 Rethinking Ageism, Together

On Thursday, we marked the International Day of Older People with a fantastic, well-attended Age Friendly Cotswolds event, bringing together charities, NHS representatives, councillors and others to explore how we view and value our older communities.

Our keynote speakers, Siobhan Farmer and Sarah Scott, shared statistics and insightful, positive perspectives, encouraging us to challenge assumptions about ageing and recognise the contributions older people make.

A huge thank you to our speakers and everyone who joined us. We hope you found the session informative, constructive and full of opportunities to connect.

Let’s keep those conversations going through our network forums—sharing ideas, building relationships and turning discussion into action to make the Cotswolds a more age-friendly place to live.

The Churn Community Hub
Tetbury Community Hub - TAYCT
Age UK Gloucestershire

05/10/2026

Our friends at Gloucestershire Rural Community Council are hosting some great events in Moreton-in-Marsh this October, book your space now! for the Pop Up Board Game Afternoon and/or their Pop Up Vintage Music Event.

A great way to meet new people and something to get you out and about as the weather gets colder.

01/10/2026

Could you help us end loneliness in the Cotswolds? Donate today knowing your money will make a huge difference. 😇
https://donate.justgiving.com/charity/cotswold-friends/donation-amount

🚬 😔Did you know? Loneliness is as harmful as smoking 15 ci******es a day. Thousands of people across the Cotswolds are spending days alone. YOU can change that!

🚗 £10 pays towards a person’s journey with our Community Transport Service
🏡 £30 pays for two Befriending visits to someone who is isolated at home
🛒 £50 pays for an Emergency Food Shop

Donate today! And help make a difference in your community.

29/09/2026

🏉 Walking Rugby🏉 We are chuffed that our Walking Rugby team is building week on week, everyone has such a fun time and the camaraderie is brilliant. We are still looking for more players to join - you don't need any previous experience, just an open-mind and keen to have some fun!

Coach Dave will welcome you and play can be adapted to suit your ability. Still have questions? Just get in touch with our Community Activities Team 📧 [email protected] / 📞 01608 692811

Come join us this week:
📍 Stow Rugby Club
⌚ Thursday 1.30-2.30pm

In collaboration with Gloucester Rugby Foundation

26/09/2026

📷 Fancy having a go at some photography? 📷

Why not enter the Stow & District Civic Society’s 2026 Photographic Competition.

The competition is free and open to all ages and abilities—you don’t need to be an experienced photographers or own professional equipment. Photographs taken on a mobile phone are very welcome. 📱

🧑‍🤝‍🧑🌳 ⚽ Find your hidden creativity and capture one (or more) of the categories: people, pets, wildlife, landscapes, architecture, botanical subjects, sport or transport.

Entries close on Wednesday (30 September 2026) so be quick! 🏆 The best 100 photographs will be displayed publicly at St Edward’s Hall in Stow.

It would be wonderful to see the Cotswolds represented through the eyes of people of all different ages, experiences and abilities.

Good Luck!

25/09/2026

💜 A huge thank you to Stow Motor Club for their amazing donation of £1,250 to Cotswold Friends!

This generous contribution will help us continue providing vital services, supporting local older and vulnerable people to stay independent, enjoy companionship and feel connected to their community.

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone at Stow Motor Show for thinking of us and supporting our work. Your kindness will make a real difference! 💜

22/09/2026

💜 Flying the flag for Cotswold Friends!

Our fundraiser, Karen is visiting Spirax Sarco to share the work we do, in the hope of securing a nomination for their Charity of the Year.

From essential transport to companionship and community activities, it’s an opportunity to show how their support could help older and vulnerable people stay independent and connected.

Thank you to Sarco for their continuous support to us and all the other charities invited to todays event

11/09/2026

🏉 What a TRY-mendous start!

Our Walking Rugby sessions kicked off yesterday at Stow Rugby Club with plenty of fun, laughter and exercise!

It was a lovely way to bring people together, get moving and enjoy the game at a gentler pace. Whether you’ve played before or fancy trying something new, everyone is welcome.

📅 Every Thursday
⏰ 1.30pm–2.30pm
📍 Stow Rugby Club, Stow-on-the-Wold

Come and give it a try! Contact our Activities Team to sign up:

📞 01608 692811
📧 [email protected]

Address

Opening Hours

Monday	09:30 - 15:30
Tuesday	09:30 - 15:30
Wednesday	09:30 - 15:30
Thursday	09:30 - 15:30
Friday	09:30 - 15:30

Telephone

+441608651415

Website

http://www.cotswoldfriends.org/

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