‘Royal’ team has caring off to tea

AN award winning volunteer group has sought to celebrate kindness by delivering afternoon tea to 90 residents.

Volunteers from the Vintage Worx Community Development Trust last week took to neighbourhoods in Spotland and Falinge, as well as to Rochdale Connections Trust’s Haven Project peer support group, to deliver some homemade afternoon tea boxes.

The boxes were distributed as part of the Jo Cox Foundation’s Great Get Together, which called on people around the country to celebrate the importance of community, inspired by the late MP’s statement that ‘we have far more in common than that which divides us.’

Having seen the positive impact the afternoon teas had on recipients, the newly formed ‘Tea for You Team’ have now taken on the challenge of providing teas for residents every month.

●●Jill Barton of Rochdale Connections Trust receives a donation of afternoon tea boxes from Vintage Worx volunteer Julie Waller and (right) volunteer Hillary Stevenson during her delivery at College Bank

Vintage Worx, based in Falinge Park, were honoured this year with the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, and previously delivered afternoon tea boxes to isolated residents to help them celebrate VE Day on May 8.

Tracie Powers, enterprise director at Vintage Worx, said: “After nearly four months of lockdown, we thought it would be nice to bring a smile to the faces of residents who have been the most socially isolated.”

The boxes were funded, prepared and delivered by the group, and each contained homemade sandwiches, sausage rolls, pate, cheese, crackers, cakes, scones and fresh fruit.

The group who delivered the boxes included community volunteers Tracie and Sam Powers, Leonie

O’Donoghue, Julie Waller and Iryna Lysnyj, and Spotland and Falinge councillors Wendy Cocks and Rachel Massey.

Coun Cocks said: “All the people I delivered to were delighted and touched by the fact that someone was thinking about them. It was building on the VE Day afternoon teas.

“Just someone coming to the door with a smile and some lovely food and a doorstep chat really cheered people and made it a different day and therefore special”.

Coun Massey added: “Some of the teas we delivered went to people that Rochdale Connections Trust have been supporting, ladies who have experienced domestic abuse and are extremely isolated at the moment. It’s meant a lot to them to see that people care.

“I’m grateful to our local businesses, especially Bev Place, the local Coop Member Pioneer, who kindly supported this by providing food and ingredients.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the amazing group of volunteers who willingly give up their time to help others, and make a real difference in our community.”

Vintage Worx’s team is now appealing to residents and local businesses to help them continue their afternoon tea initiative.

More information about volunteering or donating can be obtained by contacting community manager Sam Powers on 07760 354 698 or by email at vintageworxoffice@gmail.com.