Laurabella Day Spa offering discounted sessions to over 70s to help combat loneliness and isolation

A spa in Headley is running discounted sessions for over 70s to help the elderly combat loneliness and isolation this winter.

Laurabella Day Spa, located just off the A339 on the way to Kingsclere, offers its £5 Winter Monday scheme to its elderly customers so they can take advantage of the physical, mental and social benefits the spa offers.

Laurabella founder Emma Hill started the scheme because she found that her own 85-year-old auntie had struggled since lockdown as many social activities for elderly people have stopped due to the pandemic.

She said: “This is the time, in these circumstances, that we’ve got to look after our elders.

“With the price of everything going up, I’ve got those hot tubs on anyway along with the showers. We’ve got the hot water, we’ve got the heat, we’ve got the space; let’s use it.

“This is my chance to help people in my community to have space and time together in a safe and warm environment.”

Those who attend the spa on a Monday will have access to its facilities for just £5, and can also make use of Laurabella’s various wellness treatments at discounted rates.

Hot chocolates and other hot drinks will also be on offer, and Mrs Hill said she might even start making soup for those who go along as well.

She hopes she will get regular customers coming in every week and a social group will form.

Mrs Hill said: “I want them to talk and chat to each other. Get their brains going and to make it to a regular occasion.”

Hungerford resident Nicholas Lumley is an actor known for his roles in films such as Paddington 2 and Lady Macbeth, but he had to stop working and he suffered a stroke eight weeks ago.

Mr Lumley has been regularly going to the spa to receive treatment, including acupuncture sessions, dips in the hot tub and periods within the infrared sauna.

Mr Lumley’s wife Caroline said that he had made a “huge recovery”, describing it as “miraculous”.

She praised Laurabella’s £5 Winter Monday scheme.

“I think it’s brilliant,” she said.

“I think Nicholas is very comfortable in his own personality, but I think sometimes when you’ve had a serious illness, you can get a bit lonely and get a bit self-conscious. This is a lovely thing to do, a really great thing to do.”

To book a spa session or find out more, visit Laurabella's website at www.laurabella.co.uk or phone (01635) 291211.

Members of the Racy Fillies of Newbury, a social group for women over 50, made their first trip to the spa last week.

One member said: “It is a beautiful venue, gorgeous. It is absolutely lovely.”

The group, whose motto is “growing older disgracefully”, partake in a number of different activities such as trips to London, to the theatre and to dinners, as well as trips abroad to locations such as Amsterdam.

Group members always wears red hats and purple tops when they are out together.

The Racy Fillies is the Newbury branch of the Red Hat Society, an international organisation that aims to provide older women with social connections and new, exciting ways to experience life.

One Race Fillies member said: “When you get to our age you have to be positive or you can’t get up in the morning.”

Anyone interested in joining the group should email its leader June Coles at junecoles@hotmail.co.uk

Another said: “Anyone can join who is over 50, is looking for great fun and is open minded about doing new things.”