A SOCIAL group for widows in Teignbridge is appealing for new members to join them.

The Jolly Dollies is a national organisation which provides opportunities to make new friends and a social life for women who have lost partners.

The Teignbridge group is run by Brenda Pugh and Margaret Cooper who want to help other widows to benefit from joining.

Brenda explained: ‘We are nine in our group at the moment but we feel sure that there are more widows in our area who would gain a lot from mixing with other ladies who are in the same boat.

‘The organisation was founded by widows for widows with the aim of finding friendship and to regain a social life.

‘It’s a real lifeline for us and other widows who have lost their life partner may be feeling lonely and would like to meet others in similar situations.’

The Teignbridge group meets every Wednesday for lunches out at venues from Dawlish to Dartmoor.

Set up by Somerset widow Yvonne Vann, who died in 2021, the group is now run by her daughter Zoe who took up the helm to carry on her mother’s legacy.

There are 54 groups across the UK.

Membership offers other wider benefits including access to magazines and newspapers, discounts on mobile phones, cinema tickets, car breakdown cover.

► Anyone interested can get in touch by emailing [email protected] or the website www.thejollydollies.com