National Charity Launches New Tea Party

National Charity Launches New Tea Party

Reengage, a leading national charity dedicated to tackling loneliness and isolation among older people is looking for more guests in Sidmouth and Ottery St Mary area for monthly tea parties to enjoy a few hours of tea, chat and good company. The service is completely free for the guests as the groups are run by volunteers.

With many older people in the area suffering from loneliness, leading UK charity Reengage has launched a new tea party group for people aged 75 and over to provide a regular and vital friendship link every month. The group has been running for 3 months and is looking for more guests to join the group.

The guests, are normally aged 75 and above, live alone and are unable to get out by themselves anymore. Each guest is collected from their home by a volunteer driver and taken to a volunteer host’s home, where they meet with a small group for tea, chat and friendship. The group is welcomed by a different host each month, but the drivers remain the same which means that over the months and years, acquaintances turn into friends and loneliness is replaced by companionship.

Reengages Regional Support Officer, Fiona Franklin, said: “We’re delighted to have opened a new group in the Sidmouth and Ottery St Mary area. For older people who live alone, Sundays can be particularly long and difficult. These tea parties are great fun for both guests and volunteers and give people a chance to get together with others and make new friends, whilst eat delicious cakes, sandwiches and enjoy a cup of tea! The monthly events make a real difference to the lives of those in the group and we would encourage anyone interested in volunteering, or those who know of people to whom it might appeal, to get in touch.”

Sidmouth and Ottery St Mary residents interested in volunteering, or who know of someone aged 75 and above, who lives alone and would benefit from joining the Reengage group can contact Fiona Franklin, on 01934 316578 or email fiona.franklin@reengage.org.uk

For more information please visit https://www.reengage.org.uk/