Charity on hunt for volunteers

A charity which provides a lifeline of friendship to older people is looking for volunteers in Perth.

Contact the Elderly organises a number of social events for the elderly such as free monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties.

The charity is on the hunt for volunteer drivers and hosts. The drivers collect guests and accompany them to parties – usually held in the homes of volunteers.

Jennifer Kaney, development officer at Contact the Elderly, said: “The truth is there are very many older people who are sitting at home alone, unable to get out and about and enjoy some of life’s simple pleasures.

“We are here to bring people together; to talk, to travel somewhere new and to enjoy tasty food in the company of others.

“We are appealing for anyone who would enjoy a bit of baking and a blether of a Sunday afternoon to get in touch – whether that be as a guest or a volunteer driver or host.

“It is a small amount of time together but the parties truly replace loneliness with companionship.”

A volunteer driver collects the same one or two guests each month. A volunteer host welcomes a group of around eight people into their home once or twice a year with the group remaining the same each month.

To find out more, contact Jennifer.kaney@contact-theelderly.org.uk or call 01786 235034 or visit www.contactthe-elderly.org.uk.