A SOCIAL group which aims to help bereaved people, widows, and widowers move on is celebrating after winning a special accolade at the Chronicle's Heart of Essex awards.
Moving-On was created in 2011 especially for bereaved people in Essex to meet new friends and now boasts a busy social calendar that includes fortnightly meetings for Sunday lunches, live music and trips to London theatres.
Moving-On won the Essex Chronicle Media Group's special award and founder Julie Nicholson, 66, added this to a list of achievements, which have included being highly commended as community champions at the Pride of Essex awards in December 2013.
Julie is a retired bereavement counsellor who spent many years at Farleigh Hospice. She spotted the need for a new group to help people to meet others in the same situation and contacted BBC Essex's Dave Monk show, which attracted new interest in her idea.
And now three-and-a half years later, with more than 220 members, Julie, from Chelmsford, feels the group has flourished because of the relaxed and informal environment it has created.
"It's a place where people can get together with no pressure – it's not a singles group – it's a place to meet friends and we have a lot of people here who have made lasting friendships," she said.
"People can suffer depression after the loss of a loved one. They lose their social groups sometimes and can feel nervous about meeting new people. We try to take that away.
"We are happy to meet you before you walk to a meeting if you don't feel comfortable and it's nice to know that there are like-minded people out there.
"We don't dwell on their loss, we want people to leave feeling a lot better than when they arrived and take them away from their loss and help them to carry on alone."
The group now has regular meets on the third Saturday of every month with Sunday lunches twice a month, quizzes and trips to the theatre all with 40 or more members signing up.
It began in Chelmsford and in September 2013 a new Braintree hub attracted even more members, though the hard work has not deterred Julie.
"It's hard work and it keeps me out of trouble, I suppose," added Julie.
"The people that come for the meetings are very appreciative and they understand that this is a volunteer service and it's worth the effort because of the good feedback that we all receive."
A small team of unpaid volunteers help Julie run Moving-On including Mary Temperley, Jim Warrington, Pauline Werrell, Bill Chewter, Chas Baldry, Carole Seaton, Richard Rawling and David Chilvers.
With the £500 cash prize from the Chronicle award, Julie hopes to start a new website for the group and is appealing to anyone that may be able to help with its production.
She also hopes to start a singles group for people on their own and who want to meet someone new.
In September, Moving-On will be visiting the Chilterns, France, and to watch Michael Flatley's Lord Of The Dance along with regular Sunday lunches and Saturday group meet-ups.
For more information visit www.movingongroup.net or call 01245 258848.
