A charity which relieves social isolation for older people has enjoyed its busiest year to date.

Contact the Elderly has 85 groups throughout Scotland, 2 in Paisley, which support 764 people aged 75 and over through its network of 1,035 volunteers.

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Each group holds monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties in volunteer hosts’ homes with assigned volunteer drivers collecting guests and joining them at the event.

It is estimated the Contact the Elderly network in Scotland has enjoyed 57,630 cups of tea, 1,092 cakes and 23,052 sandwiches.

Valerie Crookston, Scotland Executive Officer at Contact the Elderly, said:

“We have had an immensely busy year and we are very proud the charity is supporting ever increasing numbers of lonely older people in Scotland. There is always more we can do and we are committed to continuing to grow our network of volunteers and guests in 2015.”

Contact the Elderly offers support to those aged 75 and over who live alone offering them a social lifeline in their local area. The free tea parties take place one Sunday afternoon a month and guests enjoy the company of their peers, as well as the volunteers.

Thirteen new groups started in 2014 and the charity is aiming for a further 8 groups in 2015.

Valerie added:

“Social isolation in our older population is a very serious issue and one that is only set to get worse with an ageing population. What we do is very simple and informal but has an enormous impact on the health and wellbeing of our guests – our volunteers also thoroughly enjoy their experience.”

For more information about volunteering for Contact the Elderly, contact Caroline McGinlay on caroline.mcginlay@contact-the-elderly.co.uk.

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Founder of Paisley.org.uk in 1998 and constantly strives to change peoples attitudes to the town, Brian is a self described Paisley Digital Champion who promotes Paisley via any means necessary. You can also follow me on X