Group_Leisure___Travel_-_April_2020

(Joyce) #1

Staying social...


Group organisers play an important role in
bringing communities together, especially people
who live on their own or those who would not
otherwise experience day trips and holidays.
We’ve put together some ideas for you to ensure
your group stays connected:

Create a WhatsApp group chat. This smart
phone app is free and can run through a phone
connection or WiFi. Perhaps the best thing
about using WhatsApp to stay connected
is the fact up to 256 people can join in on a
group conversation.

Play fun games together. There’s another smart
phone app called Houseparty which not only
allows users to send messages to friends, but
encourages them to play games, whether it’s
testing each other with Trivia or a round of Heads
Up! (a game similar to Charades or Who Am I).
Up to eight people can play a game at once.

Try a video call. Nothing beats face-to-face
conversation - so why not try setting up a Skype
video call or use one of a number of alternatives,

Group organisers have contacted us to say
how they’ve been keeping in touch with their
members during the Coronavirus pandemic. Joan
Hanks, who runs St Andrews Ladies Luncheon
Club, said they had divided up members between
the committee and each of them contact six
members each week, more often if needed. She
added: “The response has been wonderful and it is
good to know everyone is watching out for each
other. While some members have others living
with them, some are isolated so the response to
our calls is lovely.”

James Silvester of HADARA in Kent, said they’d set
up a WhatsApp group to stay in touch with each
other and that: “members are continually adding
comments and posts and even videos and photos
of previous club holidays and outings.”

For more tips and apps to use, head to
groupleisureandtravel.com and search
‘Stay connected’.

Anne Bartlett who runs the Friends of the
Wilson Art Gallery and Museum said they
keep in touch with members through their
website and email and there’s a ‘buddy’
for those who aren’t on email to ensure
everybody is well informed and connected.


  • Below: Joan Hanks (third left) took her
    group to Belgium around the festive season.


such as FaceTime? Skype can be installed on smart
phones, tablets and computers, and up to 50 people
can join in on the chat - whether it’s to discuss group
updates or just catch up on how the day’s been.

Group organisers share
their experiences

6 April 2020 groupleisureandtravel.com


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