A new creative well-being project for adults starts next week.

Tea and Tonic will offer a safe, welcoming space to socialise, meet new people and increase social confidence through tea, cake, conversation and a range of art activities.

Sessions run fortnightly and will take place at Whitehaven and Workington libraries.

Lee Thorburn, community services manager, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the ‘Tea and Tonic’ fortnightly sessions in our Whitehaven and Workington libraries.

“The variety of activities planned really do have something for everyone and it’s a fantastic opportunity to enjoy your local library and learn more about our many services.”

There’ll be music, movement, poetry, a bit of singing, craft and hopefully lots of laughter.

Themes will be inspired by library resources and by the people who choose to attend.

The project aims to reduce social isolation and improve wellbeing through regular, social creative activity.

It’s a collaboration between Cumbria County Council library services, Amy’s Care (which specialises in providing social clubs for older adults) and freelance creative facilitator Jenn Bell.

Sessions have been funded by Allerdale and Copeland Councils and meeting room spaces have been provided free of charge by both libraries.

The fortnightly activities will be led by Jenn and supported by Gilli Goodfellow from Amy’s Care.

Sessions are £3 and open to anyone feeling lonely or isolated or in need of a pick-me-up. It’s accessible to people living with dementia and their carers and to those who may need a bit of a helping hand accessing the arts. Free to attend for carers. Sessions begin on Monday, running fortnightly in Whitehaven library from 10am to 11.30am and Workington 1.30pm – 3pm until Monday 9th December. For more information contact Gilli at gilli@amys-care.co.uk. Wheelchair access – for Workington contact Lee.Thorburn@cumbria.gov.uk. (Photos credit: Tom Kay)

on Monday 16th September, in Workington and Whitehaven’s central libraries.