Bags of Hugs!

The group supported by Optalis staff at Woodley, Earley and Wokingham Day Services had come up with an innovative idea of reaching out to local people who might be experiencing loneliness by providing them with a Hug a Mug – filled with various treats such as tea, cookies and chocolate. They then donated the Mugs with a note of best wishes to people in need who might be feeling isolated. Deliveries of over 200 Hug in a Mugs have been made by the Focused Friends to Wokingham Hospital, Wokingham Foodbank and Berkshire’s Women’s Aid group.

The Hug in a Mug was so successful that the group recently launched Hug in a Bags – rucksacks filled with winter goodies such as blankets, socks and toiletries - and distributed to a homeless charity in Reading called Piaroo’s Wish.

Sixty Hug in a Bags have now been delivered to the charity which provides essentials to the homeless and vulnerable.

The Focused Friends depend on fundraising and donations for their gifts to the community and their next plan is to drop off Easter eggs to local causes in Wokingham. If people would like to donate some Easter eggs for the Focused Friends to distribute to the community, please send them to the Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive, Woosehill, Wokingham, RG41 3DR