Contact the Elderly has launched its 20th group in Edinburgh. The charity, which organises free monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties for older people who live alone, now supports more than 100 people in the city.
‘Edinburgh 20’ met at the home of volunteer Anne Grindley who has been instrumental in the success of the charity in Edinburgh. The new guests met with an existing group for an afternoon tea.
Jennifer Kaney, Development Officer at Contact the Elderly, said:“We are delighted to now have 20 groups in Edinburgh supporting more than 100 older people who live alone. Anne has done a fantastic job and I am confident I speak for the entire Contact the Elderly community in offering our sincere thanks for her efforts.
“The new group had a lovely afternoon together and we are looking forward to hearing how the relationships between guests and volunteers flourish in the months ahead. One of the guests told me she had made a new friend five minutes into the party. It’s comments such as this one which perfectly illustrates the power of our parties.
“Our tea parties are loved by our guests and volunteers alike and are a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon. The impact of cake and company cannot be underestimated in alleviating loneliness.”
The 21st group in the city is set to launch later this month and will bring its volunteer toll to around 150.
In Scotland, Contact the Elderly has around 125 groups supporting more than 1000 older people. Tea parties take place one Sunday afternoon a month in a volunteer host’s homes. Guests are collected by a volunteer driver and accompanied by them at the afternoon tea.
To find out more about becoming a volunteer or guests with Contact the Elderly, please contact Jennifer Kaney on Jennifer.kaney@contact-the-elderly.org.uk or 01786 235034.
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