New group tackles elderly isolation with tea and chat

A charity which provides tea, cake and company to older people who live alone has launched its third group in Perth.

Contact the Elderly organises free, monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties – a move which it says turns loneliness into friendship for almost 900 people throughout Scotland.

Drivers, who give up their time for free, collect guests and accompany them to a fellow volunteer host’s home where they enjoy hot drinks, biscuits, sandwiches and conversation.

The ‘Tay’ group launched with a delicious feast and the older people and volunteers enjoyed chanter music from one of the guests. There was also a birthday to celebrate with a cake, candle and sing song.

Contact the Elderly development officer Jennifer Kaney said: “It was a fabulous afternoon bringing together this new group.

“Within the first half hour it was clear to see they are all going to have a fabulous time together in the months and years to come.

“As people get older, it can become more difficult to get out and about and many find themselves spending more and more time at home alone.

“Our parties are here for them to have something to enjoy. Our volunteers have a fantastic time and loneliness is very quickly turned into friendship.

“We are delighted to have launched our third group in Perth. We know, though, that there are many more people we could be offering a vital lifeline of friendship.

“To do this, we need to get in touch with them and encourage more time to donate a little time to make an immeasurable difference to the lives of older people who live alone.”

Contact the Elderly is supported by the players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

To find out more about becoming a guest or volunteer of Contact the Elderly locally, contact Jennifer by sending an email to jennifer.kaney@contactthe-elderly.org.uk or calling 01786 235034.