On a bright June morning at The Lime Tree Business Centre in Matlock, community spirit filled the room as local groups gathered for the Groups Galore Social Connectedness Event during Loneliness Awareness Week.

The event gave organisations a chance to publicise themselves, meet new people, and find volunteers, while visitors discovered activities and ways to get more involved in their neighbourhood. 

All the stalls looked fantastic!

Groups had clearly put thought into making their spaces welcoming and interactive – there were games, crafts, and hands-on tasters that showed exactly what each group does and how to get involved.

The DDCVS Development Team spoke with stallholders about ideas and support, and many attendees were signposted to other local services. 

Organisations with stalls included: 

• Matlock 50 Plus Forum 

• Bakewell and Eyam Community Transport (BECT) 

• Matlock Lions Club 

• Connection Space CIC 

• Connex Community Support 

• Hurst Farm Wild Works 

• Careline Calling 

• Matlock U3A 

• Daisy Daisy Bereavement Cafe 

• Matlock Tai Chi Chuan 

Mayor Marilyn Franks visited and met every group, adding a warm civic welcome to the day. A real highlight was a surprise performance by Not Just a Mums Choir. Their pop-up singalong brought everyone together – visitors and stallholders joined in, voices raised, creating a joyful, unifying moment. 

People left with new contacts and fresh ideas. The event underlined how small, local connections can make a big difference to social wellbeing in Matlock and the surrounding area.