A scheme launched to help tackle loneliness has added a new venue.

Meet up Mondays, now has seven venues in the Braintree district with the addition of the Bell Inn in Great Bardfield. From Thursday February 6, the Bell will host Meet Up Thursday every week from 10am-noon.

Meet up Mondays is a weekly event for people who want to meet and chat to new people.

Venues offer free tea or coffee and a place to sit and chat for a couple of hours.

Braintree Council’s health and wellbeing boss, Peter Tattersley, said: “Loneliness is a huge issue affecting the country at the moment, emotional wellbeing is just as important as physical wellbeing and initiatives like this provide a lifeline to our residents that feel isolated.”

Since the scheme launched in October 2018 at Coffee House in the Gardens, Braintree Council has recruited pubs and cafes in Witham, Bocking, Black Notley, Cornish Hall End and Castle Hedingham.

The council’s communities, culture and tourism boss, Frankie Ricci, added: “Meet up Mondays across the district have proved popular for residents and helped provide an option for those facing social isolation and loneliness who might struggle to get out and socialise with people.”

Businesses who are interested in running an event can call 01376 552525.