Lorna’s story: “VVE makes your whole life better.”

After Lorna’s husband died four years ago, a friend suggested she try Virtual Village East for friendship and support. As with most people when they’re grieving, Lorna was feeling very low and lonely and while she didn’t much feel like socialising, she made the effort and went along to one of our monthly Coffee & Catch-up mornings.

“I’m so pleased I went. I received the warmest welcome and immediately was made to feel at ease,” says Lorna. “I knew from the atmosphere and the lovely people there that everything  was going to be okay and that it was the right place for me at that time.”

Lorna has continued her involvement with Virtual Village East and now regularly participates in many of the activities. She lives in Pakuranga next door to her son, for which she is very grateful. However, as she says, ‘You still need to have your own social life and VVE has given me that. The family are very busy and while I’m so fortunate to have my son next door, I knew it would be very easy for me to become lonely and isolated if I didn’t  rebuild my social life after my husband passed away.”

At 77 years of age, Lorna is very fit and particularly loves walking. She also loves that Virtual Village East provides a wide range of activities that look after all aspects of wellbeing. “VVE is like a ripple that spreads and makes your whole life better,” she enthuses. “It focuses on the whole person – your health, fitness and friends and learning the skills to age well. I’ve learnt about meditation, nutrition, staying safe at home and so much more since I’ve joined. As a result I’ve made a number of changes in my life – like getting a St John’s medical alarm.”

Lorna now has a “bunch of new friends” who call on her regularly to check she is okay – and she really enjoys catching up with them. “My husband did a lot around the house and for me. When he died, I didn’t know what I was going to do and I was feeling very lost,” she says. “Virtual Village East has helped to fill that gap. I’m so thankful that HBH Group is a charity that provides this free service for seniors. We are so lucky to something like this in our community!”

Lorna says Virtual Village East is like a home away from home. “If you’re a member, you’ll no longer feel lonely or lost, but warmly embraced by a bunch of lovely people,” she says. “It was my first step out in the world after my husband died, and it’s given me the confidence to get involved in other things as well.”