Charitythathelps theelderlyexpands

A charity which provides cake and conversation to older people who live alone has launched its second group in Stirling.

The ‘Wallace’ Contact the Elderly group enjoyed its first tea party at volunteer host Annabel Findlay’s home and spent an enjoyable afternoon getting to know one another, sharing stories over cups of tea, sandwiches and sweet treats.

Contact the Elderly has six groups in the Stirling and Stirlingshire area, providing older people who live alone a lifeline of friendship through its free Sunday afternoon tea parties.

Janice Kerr, development officer at Contact the Elderly, said: “The first party was fantastic fun and I am confident that real friendships will grow between the volunteers and guests. One gentleman was referred by his nurse and said it was the best thing she had ever done for him.

“It is so heartening to hear comments like this from our guests and it truly shows the power a bit of baking and a blether has on the life of an older person.

“We are always keen to further extend our reach so would appeal for anyone who may enjoy our parties, either as a guest or volunteer, to get in touch.”

Guests are collected one Sunday afternoon a month and accompanied by their drivers to an afternoon tea in a volunteer host’s home.

Contact the Elderly has 126 groups in Scotland, making an immeasurable difference to lives of more than 850 older people.

To find out more about becoming a guest or volunteer of Contact the Elderly, contact Janice.kerr@ contact-the-elderly.org.uk or 01236 898613.