A LIFELINE OF FRIENDSHIP
Contact the Elderly is a national charity which tackles the acute loneliness of isolated older people, over the age of 75, who live alone with limited support from family, friends and statutory services.
What we doEach month on a Sunday afternoon, our volunteer drivers use their cars to take one or two older people to afternoon tea in a volunteer host’s home, where a small group enjoy warm hospitality and friendship. At the end of the afternoon the volunteers see our guests safely home again. Over the months and years, on-going support and friendships grow between older guests and volunteers.
We run local groups throughout England, Wales and Scotland and our service is FREE. Our older guests are not expected to host the tea parties.
How our service can benefit the people you support
There is increasing evidence to show that loneliness and social exclusion are pivotal factors in physical and mental health. Health providers are pleased to refer older people to our service especially those experiencing depression, as regular social contact can help to alleviate this. Our free, monthly tea parties allow elderly people to remain independent in their homes, whilst ensuring they re-connect with their local communities and can be discretely monitored for signs of anxiety and depression.
Our guests
- are over the age of 75 - with many in their 80s and 90s
- live alone with little or no contact with family and friends
- cannot get out except with some assistance
- are mobile enough to get to a car and negotiate a few steps with a helping hand
How to refer someone
- Please complete an application form and send it to us or complete one on our website.
- Alternatively, you may want to pass on our details for them to contact us directly.
N.B. There may be a waiting list in some areas as our groups are very popular, but we will try to allocate people as quickly as possible.
Fill in an application form online:
Alternatively you can call Suzan Hyland 0207 881 2361 or email