The Deans Senior Tea Club launches befriending service

The clubs are for people in Peacehaven, Telscombe and Saltdean and currently has more than 200 members.

Maria Davey, charity founder, said: "Our aim is to combat loneliness in older age whilst having a jolly good time! We arrange trips, entertainment, arts & crafts, quizzes and games for seniors. It's their club, so we try and organise any activities they are interested in... from belly dancers to historical talks.

"We welcome residents from care homes and their carers, seniors and their family, to pop down for a cup of tea and a slice of cake."

Unfortunately due to Covid-19, the venues it usually hires are not quite ready to open which means the charity is unable to run its clubs. In the mean time if has set up a telephone befriending service provided by the charity and its volunteers.

She said: "Individuals receive a weekly call for friendship and chat. Befrienders are trained to be able to identify and refer any emerging issues or concerns. Our main aim is to try and reduce loneliness, isolation and improve wellbeing and mood.

"Alongside this we are also working on donations to put together hampers to distribute to our members and other vulnerable elderly people locally, to send a smile and promote our befriending service.

"Our volunteers have delivered some hampers which were happily received and we aim to continue."

The Deans Senior Tea Club is also looking for donations, for more information, visit thedeansseniorteaclub.org