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October 13, 2016Where the Crow Flies – New Play at Paisley Arts Centre
October 14, 2016A charity which offers a vital lifeline of friendship to older people in the local area has had its work recognised by being shortlisted for a national award.
Contact the Elderly, which has 110 groups across Scotland, is in the running for the Older People’s Project Award at The Herald Society Awards.
The charity alleviates loneliness amongst the older generation through monthly tea parties. A vast network of more than 1300 volunteers currently help 1000 people aged 75 and over who live alone enjoy the company of others in their local community over Sunday afternoon tea.
Morna O’ May, Head of Services – Scotland for Contact the Elderly said:
“To be selected as a finalist for this award is an incredible achievement and we are all thrilled.
“Our presence has grown significantly in recent years but we are always aware there are so many more people we could be supporting and volunteers we could potentially be working with. We hope being shortlisted for this award helps to highlight the very simple, yet incredibly effective, free service we offer.
“Our tea parties in towns and cities throughout Scotland, including those running locally, make such a difference to older people who live alone and we cannot thank our volunteers enough.
“Fingers crossed for next month but all the finalists in our categories are already winners as we are all making a difference to the lives of older people.”
In its eighth year, The Herald Society Awards celebrates the dedication, imagination and more importantly the vital impact of some of the best work taking place in the public and voluntary sector. The ceremony will take place on Wednesday 2nd November at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow.
Contact the Elderly tea parties take place once a month on a Sunday afternoon. A volunteer driver collects one or two guests and joins them at the party before returning them safely home. A volunteer host welcomes a group of six to eight people into their home once a year, laying on afternoon tea and a warm atmosphere.
The charity recently launched campaign, ‘Be Our Guest’ encouraging people to help identify those in their local community who would enjoy the tea parties.
To find out more about Contact the Elderly or to refer a potential older guest call Freephone 0800 716 543, visit www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk or email guest@contact-the-elderly.org.uk.
