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Hot sausage rolls, yummy cakes and freshly made biscuits were shared when the first Gold Connect afternoon tea was held in the Snells Beach Baptist Church Hall, on Mahurangi East Road, last month.
The event, which will be held fortnightly, is an opportunity for residents to get together over a cup of tea and coffee, socialise and meet new people. There was also live entertainment and games available.
One of the organisers, Susie Burton-Thompson, said the closure of many of the local cafes had prompted members of the church to think of a way to provide a café-like experience. Members of the Vineyard and Presbyterians churches had supported the idea, and Gold Connect was born.
“There appears to be a real need for a group like this,” Burton-Thompson said. “Loneliness can be a very real thing as you get older, especially if you lose your partner.”
A lot of the food for the first afternoon tea was donated, supported by a small budget from the Baptist Church.
Pastor John Di Cicco said there was an epidemic of loneliness in NZ and Snells Beach was no exception.
He said the regular afternoon teas would provide a place for people to connect.
“Hopefully, the connections that people make will continue outside the afternoon teas,” he said. “We’re excited to do this, to open the doors and welcome people in.”
The next Gold Connect afternoon teas will be held on July 4 and 18 (the same day that the yellow bins go out). Everyone is welcome, and transport to and from the event is available by contacting Susie on 027 4767 484.
