Independent Social Enterprise

The Social Group is an independent social enterprise. A socialising and friendship organisation, our aim is to enable people to be able to enjoy a good social life.

At some time or other in our lives we've all felt lonely. We all know how unpleasant it can be to be alone. Loneliness is serious. Lack of social contact with real human beings away from a TV set or computer screen can be a problem, leading to an erosion of confidence, an inability to interact socially, and a disconnection from the real world. Social skills do benefit from being used. Self-esteem improves with good people around you. Participating is good for you. Having fun and doing things can make life seem worthwhile. Life should be more than just 'work-telly-sleep'. We can provide a ready-made social life fit for a celebrity, at a fraction of the price. Enjoy yourself... it's later than you think!

The fundamental principles by which The Social Group operates aim to help people connect and socialise, both utilising the internet and in person. The aim has always been to have fun! Yes, The Social Group is something unique and special. Since its creation in 1997, The Social Group has done a lot of good for people of all ages, professions, and backgrounds. Enabling countless thousands to connect and socialise. Good times! Good company! And so much more!

At the core, we're a small organisation, who outsource to other firms for specialist services. Our dedicated team don't get paid a great deal for all our work at The Social Group, and many of the people who help us are volunteers. People work very hard. Our efforts do change lives. There is a clear public benefit. Sometimes we get calls from people who just need another human being to talk to. Other times, out at dinner, we can listen and offer good advice. Whatever we are able to do.

To do all of this, without government funding or any sort of grants or aid, we need you. It is you who keep this dream alive.

Our funding currently comes entirely from donations, membership subscriptions, and the services we provide.

Any additional backing you can give us does make a difference.

Kindest regards,

Andrew Haglington

Founder of The Social Group

DONATIONS

This year, please consider making a donation of £10, £20, £35, £50, £100 or whatever you can to sustain The Social Group and help us do more for more people, especially for people on a more limited budget. The more we raise, the more we can do.

To make a donation by card, please call 08456 121 770.

To make a donation by cheque, please make payable to "SGE Ltd" and send by normal post to The Social Group, "Revelstone", Mary Tavy, Dartmoor, Devon PL19 9PF

Special thanks to all of you who have made a donation in the last year to help.

BOOSTING FINANCES - THIS YEAR'S FUND-RAISING

A big "thank you" to those who have this year sent in a donation - your contributions do make a difference and do enable us to do much more for people in our community.

Lots of us know what it is like to feel lonely - but for some, this is a really difficult hurdle to overcome. We organise a fabulous programme of social events, but for a few, it's not much use if they cannot reach it. Our team work long hours to try to include as many people as possible - the more the merrier! 'Enablement' is a very big word, but can make a very big difference.

All fund-raising on our behalf is always appreciated. All money raised can be put to very good use, assisting us with running costs and keeping all the good work going.

We would also like to do more to assist specific individuals who have difficulty in taking part in the social events the rest of us can take for granted. While a large number of our members come from a professional and business background, not everyone is lucky enough to have the same resources to draw upon. Some of our members have an illness or disability which limits their mobility or prevents them from being able to drive - over the years, we have had people join us with all sorts of problems they are trying to overcome and we have always done our best to offer additional assistance. We are hoping to raise enough additional funding so that we can help those who really need it, with transport, etc. - so they are not stuck in the house and can join in with everyone else. Also, for more support, following bereavement and divorce. Also to help people get back into work. or if new to the area, find their feet, meet some people, and get to know where to go out.

Sometimes, just having us there to chat to and empathise with makes all the difference. This isn't 'The Samaritans' for people feeling completely desperate, but in some respects, for some people, it is perhaps a similar sort of help, if a step further on, with us providing friendship and people to socialise with, so that no-one needs to be lonely. Our organisers put themselves forward and make themselves available, in order to be more hands-on, and we feel this makes us unique. When you join The Social Group, you join our own 'group of friends' and we will do our best to make you feel welcome and included, as our 'friend'.

We only draw a modest income from our social enterprise, but with running costs getting higher and higher, we are asking people to get behind the ideal of a civilised society working together to eliminate the need for loneliness or isolation. Please do what you can to help us. Your support does make a difference.

Anyone willing to make a donation, do a sponsored activity, apply for lottery grants, or raise funds on our behalf, please get in touch.

Celebrities, if you are able to help us lend your name or raise funds to help support all the good work we are trying to do, please contact us on 08456 121 770.

All fund-raising, sponsorship, and donations very much appreciated, thank you.

Independent Social Enterprise

From Social Group founder Andrew Haglington...