Contact the Elderly is looking for more guests and guest referrals in Renfrewshire for its free service providing tea, cake and company to older people once a month.

Contact the Elderly currently organises tea parties one Sunday afternoon a month for more than 115 well-loved groups across Scotland. The Renfrewshire groups currently cover local towns; Paisley, Johnstone, Elderslie, Linwood, Erskine, Bishopton, Renfrew, Inchinnan, Houston, Kilmacolm and Bridge of Weir.

The charity has a number of volunteers already signed up and is now keen to hear from more people aged 75 and over who live alone to join up so they can enjoy a delicious afternoon tea whilst meeting new people.

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.

Caroline McGinlay, Support Officer for Contact the Elderly, said:

“Today more than half of people aged 75 and over live alone. Our free monthly tea parties can be the only time people get out of their homes to socialise with others. It’s something that really cannot be matched, especially when you offer tea and cakes to boot.

“To any potential guests, as we refer to them, it may understandably seem a little daunting getting in touch and meeting new people but I can guarantee you won’t regret it if you do. Both our volunteers and guests get so much out of our Sunday afternoons.”

To find out more about volunteering or becoming a guest of Contact the Elderly, contact Caroline McGinlay on caroline.mcginlay@contact-the-elderly.org.uk or 0141 812 1555.

Please be advised a host’s home must have no more than a few steps to enter and a downstairs toilet.