For single people, particularly those who are divorced or widowed, just going out to eat can be a lonely experience.

That is why singles Doreen Blee and Richard Kitson decided to form a special group called The Friends Club.

"Doreen and myself first met after an early morning communion," said Mr Kitson. "She had just lost her husband, Bernard, and I had just lost my wife, Mary. Both of us had lost two spouses."

After chatting more about their experiences and loneliness, they decided to form a club.

"Our goal was simply to get people who found themselves in our similar situation out and about," said Mrs Blee. "For me, I wouldn't go out by myself, sit at a table and have an evening meal by myself.

"When I started talking to other widows and widowers I realised they were just like me.

"The Friends Club is about trying to get people to enjoy life and know that there are other people in similar situations and they can come out with us and have a good time."

The club now has 17 members. They get together twice a month for boat cruises, cultural events, dinners, dances, games nights and other activities.

Mr Kitson said after he became a widower he felt very cut off from society.

"This is a way of getting people together to form a fellowship and to enjoy each others company. It takes a lot of people out of their shell," he said.

The pair stressed the club is not a matchmaking group.

"If two people in the group become a couple, they have to leave," said Mrs Blee. "The group is not for that purpose. The group itself is made up of people who are not attached to anyone else.

"If you have married friends you can still go do your thing with them. One lady attended a luncheon and the woman who organised the luncheon invited couples.

"When she showed up by herself she felt awkward. She was a widow. She felt, 'I don't fit in anymore'. That is why we say the group is for single people so there is no uncomfortableness."

Mr Kitson is currently working on organising a travel programme for the group which will include things like cruises and long and short-term trips.

They have a trip planned for the Holy Land next year, and one for South Africa the following year.

Clinical psychologist Steven Hancock recently attended a meeting to give a lecture on loneliness and depression.

"We asked him 'how do you get people who are alone or lonely, to acknowledge that they are lonely and come out?'.

"He said to just keep inviting people to come, and keep talking to them about it and let them know what the club is about. If they do come they will see they are not alone and there are other people in a similar situation," Mr Kitson said.

The group meets at St. Paul's Church. Most of the members are over 40 years old but they are considering starting a group for younger singles once the first group is better established.

"Some of the activities will be outside the church," said Mrs Blee. "We e-mail our members to say what events are happening where and when.

"There is no pressure to attend all events, but we do ask them to attend at least two events during the year, otherwise what is the point of being a part of the group.

"We ask for their input. Our events, such as a Valentine's Day dinner dance, are events or activities that people couldn't do on their own."

At the moment, there are more women then men in the group.

"Women tend to socialise more than men," said Mrs Blee. "Men might get the idea that if I go the women might think I am going to pick them up. That is not the case. These people who are coming don't necessarily want to find a mate or a companion.

"Our women are not going to be latching onto them as soon as they walk in the door. We do have about four men right now. We would like to see a more even number.

"The men who do come fit right in. They are accepted and welcomed."

Members must pay a $25 fee which is put towards the rental of venues for certain activities.

For more information e-mail friendsclub@logic.bm or telephone 292-9294.