Monthly Get-togethers with a theme
for Lesbians, Gay men, Bi and Trans people aged 50-100 and more
At Palmers Café in Shrewsbury SY1 1QG
Next Date: Wednesday 22nd February 2023
2 – 4pm
Watch this space to find out more or contact james@lgbtsand.com
Did you know, you can get help with transport costs and arrangements when coming to SAND events.
Contact james@lgbtsand.com
or call 01743 590023 to find out more.

We first met in March 2022, to look at “Mapping What’s On that’s LGBT-friendly in Shropshire”
A small friendly group to start with, very welcoming and lots to chat about. It did high-light how few LGBT+ friendly groups and places we knew of in wider Shropshire, so some people are thinking about approaching organisations or businesses either in their local area or in their particular area of interest, to see whether they would like to ‘fly the flag’ – as being positively LGBT friendly.
In April we had Susan Palin from Wrekin Housing coming to help us decide whether to ‘Spend it or Save for my Old Age?’ People said, “I felt very cared for”, “ a lovely 2 hour with new friends” and that it was “ very informative and useful”.
In May, we had Helen Juffs – End of Life Doula – who talked to us about the importance of planning. We discussed Power of Attorney – the questions this can raise when people have no blood family in their lives, and Wills.
In June, Karen and Sonya from Radfield Home Care shared information about their services and responded to questions from the group.
In July, there were some great ideas and offers to help SAND reach it’s fund-raising target. A new group (from those who’ve been coming to the sessions) is looking at the feasibility of running day trips too, and have already enjoyed one outing.
In August, we talked about housing options and learned about Extra Care provision where older and old people can rent their own independent flat and buy in onsite care as necessary. The group is now hoping to hold one In the Café session at one of these, in their café area, later in the year.
In September, we heard about Social Prescribing, learned more about what it is and were able to voice our own thoughts about it and how it could be more inclusive.
In October, we shared information about SAND – how it started, what it does, the Covenant and where we go next!
In November, a group took a trip to Withwood – the Extra Care Shire Living development run by Wrekin Housing – they travelled by the Dial a Ride bus and got a tour of the premises and a chance to talk to current residents.
In December, the group started discussions about how they might continue into 2023.
In January 2023, the group discussed more about how they want to be and what they would like to do