Landmark group launch for Edinburgh charity

Contact the Elderly has now launched its 20th group in Edinburgh.

The charity organises free Sunday tea parties for elderly people who live alone and they now support over 100 Edinburgh residents.

The Edinburgh 20 Group met at volunteer Anne Grindley’s house with an established group.

Jennifer Kaney, Development Officer at Contact the Elderly, said: “We are delighted to now have 20 groups in Edinburgh supporting more than 100 older people who live alone. Anne has done a fantastic job and I am confident I speak for the entire Contact the Elderly community in offering our sincere thanks for her efforts.”

“The new group had a lovely afternoon together and we are looking forward to hearing how the relationships between guests and volunteers flourish in the months ahead. One of the guests told me she had made a new friend five minutes into the party. It’s comments such as this one which perfectly illustrates the power of our parties.”

In Scotland, Contact the Elderly has around 125 groups supporting more than 1000 older people. Tea parties take place one Sunday afternoon a month in a volunteer host’s homes. Guests are collected by a volunteer driver and accompanied by them at the afternoon tea.

To learn more about the charity, or offer to volunteer, please contact Jennifer Kaney by email or telephone  Jennifer.kaney@contact-the-elderly.org.uk or 01786 235034