A new social group has formed in Billingham aimed at single, divorced and widowed women and men aged over 40.
The club, called Billingham Butterflies, meets weekly, sometimes just for a catch-up – but they also take part in activities such as day trips, nights out, weekends away and even holidays abroad. Last year they were able to go on a cruise around the Canaries, and recently they went on a trip to Liverpool for Saint Patrick’s Day. They have also raised £4,000 for Alice House Hospice in Hartlepool.
The butterflies on their Ventura cruise last September
Barbara Scott, founder of the Butterfly group, said: “I was 60 and wanted to go on trips and nights out, everything I never did once I was married. When I worked doing accounts, I had an idea that there were other people in the same situation as me. For five years I had an idea to start a group but didn’t have the confidence.
“There are so many lonely people in the world – every town needs a butterfly group.
“Today I met 12 lovely ladies who never knew each other but chatted non-stop. I’m 74 years young, so I hope I can make a few more people less lonely.”
The first Butterfly group originally started in Hartlepool in 2010, when Barbara suffered a family bereavement and wanted to continue her weekly tradition of going for a coffee on Saturday mornings.
After gaining coverage in the Hartlepool Mail and advertising the club, Barbara reached more people in similar situations to form a group. Since then it has grown and has now branched out to Billingham to support more people.
If you want to join the group, you can reach out to them on Facebook.
