Wigan mum sets up chat group for isolated women

Susan Rigby has launched the women’s friendship group with the aim of preventing and combating loneliness.

The group ‘ChatterCats’ is welcome to women of all ages and backgrounds and they held their inaugural session at the Isherwood Gallery Room in Wigan Old Courts last week.

The first performer was Susan’s daughter Louise Fazackerley, who is a well-known Wigan poet and writer.

Susan said she was inspired to start the group by a feature on the Mind2Mind men’s football group which is also based in Wigan.

She said: “I was watching the news a few weeks ago, and I saw this men’s football group Mind2Mind from Wigan being interviewed.

“They inspired me to start-up a women’s group for women who find themselves isolated for one reason or another.

“It is really important for women to get together and meet up, they can share ideas about anything and it really beats getting depressed at home.

“The group is designed to beat loneliness, as an hour or two out of the home can have a positive impact on the mind.

“The meetings will include guest speakers every month."

She said her message would be to come along for a chat, cake and a brew to make new friends and share ideas also.

She added: “My other group which is the same as ChatterCats also starts on March 11 at Wigan Library in the Creative Writing room.

“Liz Chapman will be the speaker there for the first time. The groups will meet every fortnight on a Wednesday.

“My mum, who died in May 2018, was a widow and she used to go out most afternoons to the bingo. She would say, going out for an hour or two is a break from the day.

“That’s what we are trying to give to everyone.”

ChatterCats will take place on the following dates between 1pm and 3pm either at the Wigan Old Courts or Wigan Library.

The dates are: Wigan Library: March 11 and 25, April, 8 and 22, May 6 and 20, June, 3 and 17.

Old Courts: March 18, April 1, 15 and 29, May 13 and 27, June 10 and 24.

For more information email [email protected]