Party time for tea group
A group which has provided tea, cake and company to older people who live alone in West Stirlingshire has celebrated its 20th anniversary.
Volunteer organisers of the local Contact the Elderly group received a grant of £715 from Stirling Council to throw a bash at the Black Bull in Gartmore.
As well as being a celebration for those already involved with the charity, the event was used to showcase the work of Contact the Elderly to others in the community who could support its efforts in attracting additional guests.
The group enjoyed music from a bagpipe player and guitarist, before tucking into sandwiches, savouries, scones and cakes. A screen was also set up showing pictures of the group throughout the years.
Margaret Sparkes has been a volunteer host, driver and coordinator with the charity which organises free monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties for more than 20 years and established the West Stirlingshire group.
She said:“We all had a fantastic afternoon. This was an opportunity for all of our volunteers and guests to get together and celebrate how loved the group is in the local community by those who are involved and we would be delighted to welcome more people to enjoy the benefits of cake and company in West Stirlingshire.”
The group has supported 48 older people in the past two decades with more than 50 volunteers.
To find out more about becoming a volunteer or guest of Contact the Elderly in the Stirlingshire area, contact Janice Kerr on Janice.kerr@ contact-the-elderly.org.uk or 01236 898613. Contact the Elderly can email or post a leaflet if someone would like to share it with an older person who would benefit.