Inclusive New Meeting Place Group Launched In Cumbernauld To Encourage Social Interaction

Cornerstone Christian Fellowship has this week launched an exciting new weekly friendship and social group for the people of Greater Cumbernauld, with an open invitation extended to all.

The Meeting Place had its inaugural get-together on Monday 9 May 2022, with the group meeting every Monday thereafter from 1.00pm to 3.00pm at Cornerstone House (1 Esk Walk, Cumbernauld, G67 1BZ). The enterprise aims to bring local people together and promote friendship, company and social interaction in a relaxed, safe and informal environment.

Introduced as the country emerges from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the innovation recognises that many people in Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and surrounding villages have been affected significantly by isolation, boredom and lack of opportunities to meet in face-to-face settings for more than two years.

Whilst the group is hosted by Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, a community-focussed church which hosts Sunday worship services and other fellowship activities in central Cumbernauld, those attending can be of any denomination and do not require to have any Christian faith or beliefs to participate. Alan Welsh, Pastor at Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, said:

“It has been evident for some time that a high number of individuals and families in Greater Cumbernauld have been facing a range of mental, physical, emotional and social challenges for a variety of reasons, including the pandemic and cost of living crisis.

“For this reason, Cornerstone Christian Fellowship has been delighted to launch The Meeting Place initiative this week. The group is open for anyone to drop-in and attend each week, with everyone welcome.

“Examples of types of people who might benefit from coming along include family members, older people, those on lower incomes, people facing physical or mental health challenges, people who are lonely or isolated, individuals who are new to the area, carers and those experiencing health inequalities.

“It can take a lot of courage to come along to a new group, especially if attending alone and out of the practice of meeting people, so every effort will be made to make members feel at ease. Those attending are not obliged to disclose personal information and will not be put on the spot to open up or talk about specific subjects.

“Free tea and coffee will be served at the sessions and a group facilitator will be on hand to encourage friendly, fun and inclusive chat and interaction.”

It is hoped that The Meeting Place will help citizens facing a range of different circumstances and problems, including people experiencing stress, anxiety and low mood. The group also seeks to support individuals going through social isolation or loneliness, and importantly can assist those feeling anxious about mixing with others and going into public places following easing of lockdown restrictions.

In addition to The Meeting Place, Cornerstone Christian Fellowship already serves the Cumbernauld community in a variety of ways, including through an excellent youth work and youth ministry provision, facilitation of Bethlehem House of Bread Food Bank and delivery of Alpha and Christians Against Poverty (CAP) courses.

The Meeting Place is just one of an array of diverse community groups and activities taking place at Cornerstone House this summer, with others including free Living Life to the Full courses, free movie days for children and adults, Cumbernauld Watershed Group, All In Fitness Family Boxercise, ExtravaDance Academy, Slimming World Cumbernauld, Cumbernauld Art Club, Cornerstone Cafe and Fool On mental health support groups.

For further information about The Meeting Place, please contact Pastor Alan Welsh at Cornerstone Christian Fellowship on 01236 739220 or email alan@cornerstone-house.org.uk. Alternatively, just come along to the group’s next session on Monday 16 May 2022 at 1.00pm at Cornerstone House.

Click Here to Download Promotional Poster for ‘The Meeting Place’