A great-grandmother says her social life has been ‘busier than ever’ since lockdown, thanks to local friendship group the Oddfellows.
Despite COVID restrictions being in place, Monica Duncan, has ‘zoomed’ across the UK, socialising with Oddfellows members nationwide, and even made a new friend on her own doorstep.
Monica, 73, who lives in Cowes, is a member of the Vecta branch of the Oddfellows, based at Unity Hall in St Thomas’ Square.
She said:
“Surprisingly lockdown has continued to be really sociable for me! Using Zoom and the phone I still ‘see’ and talk to my friends every day. I’ve even been ‘going’ to virtual meetings with other Oddfellows Branches all over the country – which is something I’ve never done before.
“I’ve also discovered a fantastic friend on my doorstep! We’re both Isle of Wight Oddfellows members and have been going to local events with the group for two years, but only knew each other well enough to say hi to. Right at the start of lockdown our Branch Secretary, Maretta, encouraged us to swap phone numbers with other members, so we could stay in touch – I gave Marilyn my number and we just discovered we had so much in common.
“We’ve been two years on the periphery – it’s only taken a global pandemic to bring us together!”
Monica, who moved to the Isle of Wight from Northern Ireland 5 years ago to be nearer her grandchildren, joined the Oddfellows to make new friends for herself. Over the last few years, she’s loved joining a likeminded group on theatre trips, playing ten pin bowling and catch up at coffee mornings organised by her local Branch.
But with 2020 being such an unusual year, she is now frequently found chatting to fellow members online. Monica has also been helping to organise and manage the Vecta Branch’s weekly Zoom games afternoon.
Monica said:
“Moving to a new place was a tough transition, but the Oddfellows were fantastic in helping me settle into life on the island. Straight away I felt very welcomed and made some great friends. I had no idea about who the Oddfellows were, I just saw someone was hosting a cards morning at Unity Hall and went along. I was a little reserved about going but I took a deep breath and went in. I’m so glad I did.
“Thankfully we’ve been able to move quite a lot of events online during lockdown, so I’ve felt as if that much-needed friendship and support has continued to be there.”
After moving 500 miles from her home of 51 years in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, Monica is no stranger to keeping in touch with friends and family via the internet. But she says the Oddfellows has provided her with a support network she couldn’t live without – both on and offline.
She added:
“I got into computers when I was about 50 because at the time, my two sons were both in the Navy and at sea and it was the only way of communicating with them.
“Not all of my fellow Oddfellows are comfortable with computers or going online, so during lockdown I’ve been trying to give something back and share what I’ve learned about being a silver surfer. It’s nice helping others get online and stay connected, but I can’t wait to meet up with them all face to face again. That first Oddfellows meeting is going to be very noisy!”
Monica is sharing her story as part of the Oddfellows Friendship month, which takes place every September as an opportunity for non-members to go along to a series of specially held events in order to meet members and learn about the group and its benefits.
Despite ongoing restrictions, the Isle of Wight Oddfellows promises to be as active as ever, offering online events for residents to join in where possible.
Maretta Heap, Branch Secretary at the Oddfellows Vecta Branch, said:
“2020 has seen a big shift in the way we work, live and most importantly, socialise, and Monica is a great example of how many of our members have adapted. At the Oddfellows we recognise that people still want, and need, to meet up and make new friends – whether that’s safely out in the community or from the comfort of their own home.
“Friendship Month is our annual celebration of all things related to friendship, and this year is no different. We’re still here to welcome old friends, and new. That’s why we’re encouraging people to take part in one of our events and see what we offer.”
Friendship Month activities being hosted by the Isle of Wight Oddfellows include a virtual afternoon tea on Friday 25th September, via Zoom. Other regular weekly online events include: Music and Musings on Mondays at 15:00, Virtual Coffee Mornings on Wednesdays at 11:00 and Crazy Fun Friday Games at 15:00. Face-to-face events will be resumed when it is safe and appropriate to reopen Unity Hall.
Anyone interested in giving the group a try is invited to give them a call. Contact Maretta on 01983 523115 or [email protected]. Future events are also listed online at www.oddfellows.co.uk/events.
How lovely 🙂