An organisation with a mission to alleviate loneliness among the older generation is celebrating silver-plated success in the capital. Contact the Elderly, which tackles social isolation through parties providing tea, cake and companionship, has just launched its 25th Edinburgh group.
Guests and volunteers gathered at the Braid Hills home of host Hilda West to inaugurate the latest group, part of a network of more than 130 groups across Scotland catering regularly for 1000-plus guests.
The launch coincided with Sunday’s Great Get Together, a nationwide celebration of community inspired by the murdered West Yorkshire MP Jo Cox and supported by the charity.
Contact the Elderly’s premise is simple – bringing together people, generally over 75 and who live alone, over a cuppa for a couple of hours of informal chat and friendship.
The tea parties, usually held in a local host’s home, are a regular Sunday afternoon event across the capital with guests being chauffeured to and from the venues by volunteer drivers.
But as the problem of loneliness grows, so does the waiting list of guests eager to join the party – and the need for more volunteers is constant.
Anne Grindley, a volunteer area co-ordinator in Edinburgh, says despite the success of the 25 groups they are currently appealing for supporters to help expand the free service in the city.
“We have nearly 30 guests on our waiting list and we desperately need to recruit more drivers to enable us to reach as many people as possible who would enjoy a friendly afternoon out with us.
“Drivers usually bring the same one or two older guests each month which means they can get to know each other really quite well, which can be very rewarding for both guests and volunteers. That interaction means so much to our guests in particular, some of whom would not otherwise be able to get out and about and socialise.
“And although it’s a regular commitment it only entails a few hours on a Sunday afternoon once a month so is ideal for anyone thinking about volunteering but who doesn’t want too onerous a role.”
To find out more about becoming a guest or volunteer of Contact the Elderly in Scotland, please contact Lorna Dunbar at lorna.dunbar@contact-the-elderly.org.uk or tel 01738 730249
CONTACT THE ELDERLY EDINBURGH DRIVER CASE STUDY
Edinburgh scientist Laura McQuatt (above) has been a volunteer driver and group coordinator with Contact the Elderly for around 6 years.
Keen to put something back into the community, a driving role with the charity caught the 33-year-old mum’s eye.
“ One Sunday afternoon a month seemed like a good level of commitment to fit into my busy life,” she explained, “and having previously worked with the elderly I knew I would enjoy their company.
“ I absolutely love my volunteering and look forward to catching up with our guests and the other volunteers each month. We always have interesting conversation; sometimes it’s serious, sometimes hilarious! And of course we drink lots of tea and eat lots of cake!”
Since starting with Contact the Elderly she has also experienced many of life’s major milestones.
“I’ve changed jobs, got married, moved house and had two children. But through all the changes in my life my volunteering has been a welcome constant, and I cherish it.
“I’d encourage anyone else thinking about volunteering to take a look at Contact the Elderly – it’s only a few hours out of your month but your company means so much to the guests, some of whom can spend much of their month alone.”
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