‘Lifelife’ charity praised for helping lonely OAPs
A CHARITY has been commended in Parliament for provided an “invaluable lifeline of friendship” for lonely OAPs.
Annie Wells, Conservative MSP for Glasgow, lodged a motion praising the work of Contact the Elderly which encourages the public to host tea parties in their homes for pensioners over 75 who live alone or have difficulty getting out.
Guests are picked up and taken to the host’s home by a volunteer driver.
There are 123 groups in Scotland and 13 in Glasgow but the charity is looking for more hosts as around 20 elderly people are on the waiting list across the city and in East and West Dunbartonshire.
High street bakery chain Greggs has pledged to free cakes for parties from 20 of its Scottish stores including the Duke Street shop in Dennistoun.
The motion states: “the charity, with 123 groups in Scotland, including 13 in Glasgow, provides an invaluable lifeline of friendship, with research showing that 95% of guests saying the parties give them something to look forward to.”
Since the first tea party was held in 1965, Contact the Elderly has supported more than 100,000 lonely older people across the UK. There are almost 900 guests supported by a network of around 1300 volunteers from the Borders to the Highlands.
The charity hopes to increase its number of guests to 1000 within the year.
Volunteers are asked to host a minimum of one tea party a year and the property must have access to a ground floor toilet.
Recent research by Contact the Elderly highlighted that 89% of volunteers feel happier by being involved, 85% of guests enjoy meals more in a group and 76% of guests find Sunday a particularly lonely day.
For more information about hosting a party go to www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk/