An award-winning loneliness awareness campaign staged by The Bristol Hippodrome and supported by city-based specialist insurer National Friendly and Age UK Bristol has been extended.
The campaign, which aim to raise awareness of loneliness and reduce the stigma surrounding it, brings together theatre lovers aged 60 and above who would have otherwise attended shows alone. 
These free monthly Matinee Mingle meetups enable like-minded people to chat, laugh, share memories and make new friends over complementary refreshments.
The scheme was launched nearly three years ago after theatre staff noticed that several hundred customers often bought a single senior-rate ticket.
National Friendly initially contributed to the scheme to help get it established as part of its community focus and has since become its lead sponsor for at least the next 12 months.
Now further Matinee Mingle dates have announced to provide more opportunities for older people to socialise in a relaxed and friendly environment.
They take place an hour before selected mid-week matinee performances in The Bristol Hippodrome’s Piano Bar. Arrival is from 1.30pm for a 2.30pm show or 1pm for a 2pm show.
The launch of the new dates coincides with the publication of government research showing direct links between chronic loneliness and mental health distress. As a result, there is a renewed effort to tackle loneliness as part of national recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. 
Bristol Hippodrome sales and development manager Naomi Kilcoyne said: “Bristol Hippodrome is proud to be playing its part in combating the effects of loneliness in the community.
“We hope that our Matinee Mingles help those who may be feeling alone or isolated to reach out and connect through the things that matter to them, such as their love of theatre.”
Age UK Bristol community services manager Jo Stokes said the pandemic had caused an increase in loneliness among older people, especially those who live alone and who do not use or have access to digital technology.
“As we learn to manage the Covid-19 effect in the community, The Bristol Hippodrome’s Matinee Mingles are a great way to meet new people in person, while enjoying a show together,” she added.
“We hope that Minglers find new friends that they can continue to visit the theatre with again and again for more laughs and enjoyment.”
National Friendly CEO Graham Singleton added: “We recognise that loneliness is higher than ever before, along with self-isolation and vulnerability due to the pandemic and the amount of digital interactions.
“Our charitable and community work has a simple objective, to make a fundamental difference to local lives, both today and tomorrow.
“That’s why we, National Friendly, think it’s vital to support The Matinee Mingle. The programme which was created to help ward off loneliness, has made a real difference to local lives in our wider community and gives people who would otherwise visit the theatre alone, the chance to meet new people before seeing a show.”
To find out more or to book a place at a mingle, call Rowan on 0117 302 3310 (option 5) or email rowandodemont@theambassadors.com
National Friendly was established in 1868 and today specialises in private medical insurance, social and adult care funding solutions, and income protection products, as well as over-50s guaranteed savings plans.
It has no shareholders and exists to serve the best interests of its 33,400 members.
Dates for upcoming Matinee Mingles are:
- Bat Out Of Hell – Weds, 10 August at 2.30pm
- Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat – Thurs, 1 Sept at 2.30pm
- Disney’s Beauty and the Beast – Weds, 5 October at 2.30pm
- English National Ballet’s Raymonda – Thurs, 24 November at 2pm
- Jersey Boys – Weds, 11 Jan 2023 at 2.30pm
- Girl from the North Country – Weds, 1 Feb 2023 at 2.30pm
- Sister Act – Weds, 8 March 2023 at 2.30pm
