Finding Friendship and Belonging: Ladies of Laughter and Leisure at The Bay
In a world where loneliness and isolation can quietly affect so many—especially in later life—it’s encouraging to see community-led groups creating spaces of warmth, friendship, and belonging.
Here in Redcar, a group of local women have been doing just that for years. What began as a simple get-together has grown into something truly special: a network of support, laughter, and genuine connection.
The facilitator of the group, Elaine Brady, kindly shared their story below in her own words:
“The Ladies of Leisure and Laughter have been around for about nine or ten years. They meet every third Tuesday of the month at the Cleveland Bay in the back room, between 6.30-8.30pm where they can enjoy coffee, trea or something stronger!
Many other groups and activities have emerged from this group. They run a Community Allotment, attend zumba classes, go for walks, attend quiz nights etc. Other members formed a Book Club which meet regularly for a meal at O'Gradys after which we discuss the chosen book.
Many of our earlier members, myself included, belong to Ladies of Leisure and Laughter at The Bay. Many of us from the group who were available during the daytime, would meet up for coffee at the Plimsoll Line from 1pm onwards, every third Monday. Originally there were about a dozen of us who met regularly. One Friday, about four years ago, I invited three other ladies to join me for coffee at the Common Ground Coffee Shop (at Redcar Baptist Church). They were impressed by the friendly welcoming environment, and the coffee. I also introduced them to the Community Grocery Store. They were so impressed that they decided that we would meet weekly at the Baptist Church. The following weeks saw our numbers grow, for some ladies, church was a less threatening environment than meeting in the pub, especially with some of our older members.
Over the past four years, many close friendships have grown and developed with ladies meeting up for trips to the theatre, concerts, days out etc. Some of the ladies enjoy walking, going out for Sunday lunch, meeting up for afternoon tea, meals out, or coffee at Route One.
Friday mornings are special to our members, who are mainly retired, many widowed or living alone, they are quite caring and supportive of each other, through illness or bereavement, our eldest is aged 93, but she doesn't come every week. Friday is a great opportunity for people to catch up with each other, with various conversations about holidays etc. One particular incident that raises laughter was when Bea held a fundraising coffee morning. Everybody removed their shoes before walking on her lovely new carpet but later that day, Bea went to put on her shoes and they did not fit, another lady had mistakenly put them on, not realising her mistake until she got home!
I would describe our group as Warm, welcoming and supportive, qualities which enrich our lives, whatever our age or status. Personally, I find the group affirming, a safe place. Our Friday mornings are informal, unstructured because that is what works best for us. We love our get-togethers, for example, twenty four of us enjoyed Christmas Carvery at the Park Hotel followed by drinks at Wetherspoons etc. I believe small local businesses have also enjoyed our patronage with a definite reduction in social isolation for many of our ladies.
Although we don't have a formal structure to our get togethers, any new person visiting can be assured of a warm welcome from the ladies. We do have a Facebook page, Friday Ladies Coffee Group, where members frequently post upcoming events that may interest others or details of impromptu get togethers for coffee etc. We are often recommended when people new to the area or recently widowed, appeal through Redcar Alert for groups and events to join but many come to us through word of mouth.”
💛 Want to Get Involved?
If you - or someone you know - might benefit from a friendly, welcoming space like this, the group would love to hear from you.
You can find out more and stay up to date with upcoming meet-ups on their Facebook group:
