Tea and chat group needs helpers

Contact the Elderly, an initiative which aims to relieve the acute loneliness of isolated older people aged 75 or more by organising free afternoon tea parties, is on the hunt for some extra help.

Betty, 89, has been a regular at the Bognor Regis tea parties for six years and looks forward to the monthly get-togethers.

“Sundays can be very lonely and sometimes I don’t get out at all from one week to another,” she said.

“Although I’ve got a very loving family, they’re either too far away or getting old and infirm themselves, so I’m very grateful for the tea parties.

“I just love talking to people and being taken out for the afternoon.”

The charity is looking for at least one more volunteer driver to take older guests to and from the events, as well as a couple of volunteer hosts to welcome the group into their home for a cuppa, chat and companionship.

Volunteer driver Maralyn Regruto said: “It gives you a great opportunity to meet older people in the area and help them, and I get a great buzz out of doing it.

“As a driver, the commitment is just one afternoon a month and it makes such a difference,” said the 69-year-old.

Being a tea party host requires a commitment of just a couple of hours, once or twice a year, and a home with easy access and a downstairs toilet.

All drivers need is a car, full driving licence and a few spare hours on one Sunday a month.

Residents in the Bognor Regis area who are interested in becoming a volunteer for Contact the Elderly can call Julia Rivas, the organisation’s Surrey and Sussex development officer, on 01273 401569 or email [email protected]