A charity which offers a lifeline of friendship to older people who live alone has launched its twelfth group in the Edinburgh area. Contact the Elderly runs free monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties for those aged 75 and over who would otherwise have no-one to see and nowhere to go.
The charity now hopes to encourage more older people in North and North East Edinburgh to register their interest in attending the parties so that it can create a 13th group with older guests from that area.
Anne Grindley, Volunteer Edinburgh Area Organiser at Contact the Elderly, said: “There has been a fantastic response by volunteers recently in Edinburgh and I am absolutely delighted we have been able to launch our 12th group in the area and are already preparing for our 13th group.
“For a small amount of time, our volunteers are making the world of difference to the older people who attend our tea parties. Isolation among our older population is a serious, deep-rooted issue but there are very simple things, such as a nice natter over a cup of tea, that can be done which have a resounding impact.
“One lady told us she had not left the house for any social engagements for a number of years and getting out to the tea party felt very special, giving her a new lease of life.
“Our tea parties are equally enjoyed by the volunteers and older people. For any older people reading this thinking they would enjoy a relaxed afternoon out of the house with a lovely group of people, I would recommend they get in touch to find out more and see if it is for them. We are also always looking for more volunteers to get involved so would be delighted to hear from anyone who would like to host or be a driver for one of our Edinburgh and East Lothian parties.”
The new Edinburgh 12 group has six older people as guests and five volunteer drivers, as well as a number of hosts. Drivers collect a guest or two from their homes and accompany them to the tea parties at a volunteer host’s home. These take place one Sunday afternoon a month. Hosts welcome these small groups into their homes once or twice a year.
To find out more about becoming a volunteer or guest in Edinburgh, please contact Morna O’May on 01786 871264 or morna.o’may@contact-the-elderly.org.uk
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