Archived News
Third Quarter 2010
Lewisham and Southwark groups treated to lovely afternoon
Sonam takes on 5k challenge for Contact the Elderly
9 runners raise more than £3,000 for Contact the Elderly
Second Quarter 2010
Third Swedish group launches in Stockholm
Lovely tea for new Wandsworth /Putney 2 group
John Lewis Cambridge awarded for partnership with Contact the Elderly
China Dolls raise money for charities
£1,000 from Cambridge United Football Club
Flintshire gets it first Contact the Elderly group
Llangynog residents back new group
North Wales volunteers to meet the Queen
China Dolls raise money for Contact the Elderly
The Rotary Club of Cambridge host special tea party at Queens’ College
Trevor's monthly tea parties still a success
First Quarter 2010
Thoughts from a Bucks volunteer
Harlow group celebrated the launch with a glass of champagne
Contact the Elderly starts in Texas
10 Downing Street celebrates an ageing society
Never too late for a Christmas meal
Manchester North launches first group
Tasting tea with Contact the Elderly
Local Swindon business raises money for Contact the Elderly group
New group supported by local MP
Second group in Lewisham launched
Job opportunities at Contact the Elderly
Celebrating Christmas together
Fourth Quarter 2009
Poster on the London Underground
Thoughts from a Bucks volunteer
AldreKontakt in Sweden launches its second group
Notttinghams first group launches
More than just practical needs
Thought from a Bucks volunteer
Contact the Elderly's new blog
From Little Venice to Birmingham
I used to wake up in the morning and wish I hadn’t
Second group on Cambridge launched
Research into the internet use of computer users
Third Quarter 2009
Thoughts from a volunteer driver
Chelsea FC and Contact the Elderly
Volunteer thank you at stunning Bodelwyddan Castle
Lewisham 6a have a great time in Bexley
Redhill group visits a vineyard
Aylesbury group receive a very special visitor
BBC Radio Cornwall promotes Contact the Elderly
Contact the Elderly on Radio Cornwall
A cup of tea can help reduce stress
AldreKontakt members enjoy the pool on a hot summers day
Diversity signs Contact the Elderly poster
Contact the Elderly chosen by energie fitness for women
Cambridge's first Contact the Elderly group
Friendship Fund benefits from 90th birthday celebration
Contact the Elderly launches its 366th group
Today was Fun supports Contact the Elderly
Contact runners raise £7,500 to launch new group
Interesting stories told at first tea party in Oswestry and Borders
Year 12 pupils raise money for Contact the Elderly
Second Quarter 2009
Super Fundraisers look forward to 10k race
Lewisham volunteer runs BUPA 10K
Friendship Fund celebrates 100th member
‘Sorry wrong number’ campaign in Bristol
John Lewis fundraising activities during Charity Week
Islington launches second group
MBE to Contact the Elderly volunteer
85th member joins the Friendship Fund
First Quarter 2009
Contact the Elderly nominated Charity of the Week
Cards designed by 10 designers for Contact the Elderly
Fourth Quarter 2008
Barry Manilow entertains Contact the Elderly volunteers
Contact the Elderly volunteer wins Bank of America award.
Third Quarter 2008
12/8/2010:
Ever wondered what happens at the Contact the Elderly tea parties and what our volunteers and members think about them?
We asked some of our West Midlands groups what they enjoy about the groups and why they became involved, and here is what they said:
"We exchange anecdotes, ideas and jokes – It’s a real enjoyable afternoon and as Laughter is the Best Medicine (no prescription needed!) we are a jolly crowd. I look forward to these get-togethers – may it continue to flourish as ‘Friendship is the sweetest flower in the garden of life.’
Deepica, member, Wolverhampton Group
"I got involved in Contact the Elderly three years ago as a driver as I wanted to do something worthwhile with my Sunday afternoons (and am particularly partial to homemade cakes!).
The ladies I’m currently driving to the tea are all good fun and really appreciate our efforts even though it’s only a few hours a month. It’s fascinating to hear all their stories about life in the early 1900s and during the Wars.
In December I drove into the City Centre after our tea & cakes to look at the Christmas lights which they hadn’t seen for years – that quick 15 minute diversion made their month and it made my month making theirs!"
Thomas Dickson, driver, Birmingham 1
"I was so touched and impressed by the work [of Contact the Elderly] that I didn’t hesitate to volunteer to host the occasional Tea.
I believe in the importance of the young and old sharing time together, learning from one another and having their lives enriched by contact with a generation so many years apart.
We have hosted two Teas now and the whole experience gives us great pleasure as a family. My children are aged 11, 9 and 8, and we work together as a team, planning and preparing the food we are going to offer…… and borrowing chairs from neighbours!
As a regular commitment, once or twice a year is hardly burdensome and the joy and fun we experience in opening our home to these lovely ladies far outweighs any last minute panics about not having a big enough teapot!"
Sam Thompson, host, Birmingham 2
“It’s fun. You get to meet new people. I like being able to help the old ladies.”
Jake (aged 11 years)
"I wouldn’t miss it for the world!"
Dorothy, member, Wolverhampton Group
If you want to join a local group as a volunteer or a member please fill in our online application form
12/8/2010: 10k runners reach £4,000
The nine ASICS British 10k runners have raised over 4,000.
"We know 20% of donations tends to come in after the event", says Keith Arscott, Fundraising Manager for Contact the Elderly, "but we are overwhelmed and very delighted by the fundraising efforts of the 9 runners and cannot thank them and their supporters enough."
One of the runners, Helen Greenhalgh, said she set herself the 10k challenge because her mother, Mavis Greenhalgh, has been a driver for the Newbury Contact the Elderly for 11 years, and 10 kilometers is twice as far as she has ever run before.
Helen says, "My time of 1 hour 16 minutes was much quicker than I thought I would manage and running with so many people was amazing."
The money will help us set up a new group in London, giving more older people a lifeline of friendship.
14/7/2010: Lewisham and Southwark groups treated to lovely afternoon
The hottest weekend of the year (so far) was chosen for the joint tea party for the Lewisham 2 and Southwark 2 group, so it was a great relief the venue had an excellent air condition to cool everyone down.
More excellent was the enormous choice of homemade cakes and sandwiches, and the delightful young volunteers who were hosting the afternoon.
The volunteers from Borough Common Church had asked friends to help bake cakes, and all enjoyed the afternoon which got noisier and noisier with chatter as it went on.
They are hoping to host again in a couple of month and the groups are looking forward to more homemade goodies.
14/7/2010: Sonam takes on 5k challenge for Contact the Elderly
Sonam Sikka volunteered at the Contact the Elderly office last year, where she helped collate the information from the survey we sent out. We were grateful for her help then, and very pleased she has now signed up for the Adidas Women's 5k Challenge on 5th September 2010.
If you would like to show your support you can donate securely to Sonam via her Justgiving page. Support Sonam 5k Challenge
Thank you!
12/7/2010: 9 runners raise more than £3,000 for Contact the Elderly
It was a hot day in London when the 9 Contact the Elderly runners joined over 25,000 people on the 10k race through London.
Congratulations to Helen, Jane, Keren, Lisa, Ian, Abby, Bethany, Juanita and Paul who all ran the 10k and achieved excellent times. You can see all the photos on Facebook by clicking here
.
The runners have raised more than £3,000 and donations are still coming in. "We are extremely pleased with the amount the have raised", says Contact the Elderly fundraising team Debra Bollan and Keith Arscott. "They have exceeded our expectations and we would like to say thank you to the runners and all their generous supporters."
If you are interested in running 10k in London next year (or another run somewhere else) please contact Debra on 020 7240 0630 or via email debra.bollan@contact-the-elderly.org.uk
17/6/2010: Third Swedish group launches in Stockholm
The Swedish charity ÄldreKontakt was set up two years ago after being inspired by the simple concept of Sunday afternoon tea parties organised by Contact the Elderly.
"We are very happy to have launched our 3rd group now", says Therese Karlsson coordinator of AldreKontakt. "It is on Lidingö - a small island just 10 min outside Stockholm. We worked with the county council and the local elderly care to find guest to our group.
We have 2 older gentlemen (both over 90 years, one 96 years and sharp as a knife) and 3 ladies in the group, where two ladies happens to live in the same building. We realised that two of the other ladies had met a couple of years ago when they went line dancing (but now they can't do it anymore). Interesting stories, as you can imagine!
Peter Lönnquist, his wife Paula and their three children welcomed us to their home in Brevik on Lidingö. It was a sunny day so we all sat in the garden and where served lots of coffee, tea and a delicious toffee cake amongst other nice things.
This was the most talkative first group meeting so far and everyone chatted away. They all really look forward to the next meeting June 20th
To put the group together we had an article in the local newspaper, sent out brochures by snail mail to potential volunteers and guests, and put up posters etc. and the local paper did an article about our first meeting.
More and more people recognise us, and it is wonderful we can work so closely with the local council to find those members that really benefit from our outings."
Pictures from Lidingö's first tea party (click to see larger picture):
"I had never thought you coudl make such good friends at my age and I have never felt so welcome as I do at the tea parties"
Ansa, 90 years old, member of AldreKontakt
17/6/2010: Lovely tea for new Wandsworth /Putney 2 group
It was a lovely afternoon when volunteers and members got together for the first time in the Wandsworth / Putney 2 group.
Due to illness only a few older people were able to join, so they enjoyed the full attention from the young drivers and host couple.
The table was beautifully decorated and the cakes and sandwiches all homemade, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Phyllis was entertaining the volunteers with stories from her youth, and they are all looking forward to more tea parties and many more stories.
17/6/2010: John Lewis Cambridge awarded for partnership with Contact the Elderly
Business in the Community’s Awards for Excellence recognises and celebrates those companies who have shown leadership and innovation, creativity and a sustained commitment to corporate responsibility.
John Lewis Cambridge was nominated for Business Team Volunteering Award for their commitment to supporting their local community. With over 2,000 community hours logged and tens of thousands of pounds given in time they received a Highly Commended Award for their continued commitment to the local area.
Contact the Elderly was chosen as John Lewis Partner’s Charity of the Year 2009 and worked closely with the branches across the country. With no previous presence in Cambridge, we were delighted to have Sarah Ingram from John Lewis Cambridge, seconded to us for six months. In that time Sarah set up three Contact the Elderly groups providing regular Sunday tea parties for lonely, older people, and has continued her involvement as a volunteer. Sarah was nominated for the Individual Employee Volunteering Award for her commitment to Contact the Elderly.
Throughout the year as John Lewis Partner’s Charity of the Year, we benefitted from a close relationship with their dedicated staff and their fundraising activities on our behalf. Cambridge United was so impressed with John Lewis Cambridge’s relationship with Contact the Elderly that they donated £1,000 to support Sarah’s work for us in the area.
Derek Jones, Cambridge University Hospitals, Sarah Ingram, John Lewis, Keith Arscott, Contact the Elderly, Ruth Payne, John Lewis and Robert Hallam, MD for John Lewis Cambridge were very pleased to receive a Highly Commended Award at the BITC event.
15/6/2010: China Dolls raise money for charities
10 Scottish women aged between 17 and 50+ are going to tackle The Great Wall of China in October 2010. They want to raise £30,000 for different charities including Contact the Elderly.
You can read more and support them on their website:
www.china-dolls-trek.co.uk
14/6/2010: World's oldest water skier
When Olive goes to the tea parties with the Eastleigh group she likes to dress up smartly. But on other occasions she dresses in a very different outfit: a wetsuit.
Olive joined Romsey Disabled Forum, and 4 years ago the 94-yaer old was persuaded to take up water skiing. "I love it", she says, "That is why I carry on with it, but it's very tiring now that I'm getting older."
You can read the whole article here
27/5/2010: Fighting loneliness
When the Mental Health Foundation published their report The Lonely Society? on Tuesday 25th May, BBC used an interview with Lillian, member of Finchley 1, to show that there is something to be done about loneliness.
Lillian is 89, live alone in sheltered accommodation and she has just joined the local Contact the Elderly group.
She says: "I get depressed sometimes and I know I have to fight it, but not everyone is able to do that."
Lillian has lived in her home for 15 years, and is very active organising activities for the other residents. She knows the people who live there, but says there are still days where she feels lonely.
"There are days where I don't see anyone. Not even outside my windows and that worries me a great deal. Sometime I go and sit outside just to see people walking past, and that helps me not feeling lonely."
Sundays were a particular lonely time for Lillian, as there weren't any services available in her area on that day, so she is pleased she has now joined the local group and look forward to get to know the group better.
To read more about loneliness visit the Mental Health Foundation's website
19/5/2010: £1,000 from Cambridge United Football Club
Sarah Ingram, a Partner at John Lewis in Cambridge who coordinates three CtE groups in Cambridge, was very happy to receive a cheque for £1,000 from Cambridge United Football Club. The money will enable Sarah to organise special outings for the three groups she runs and to make sure that the tea parties take place even when there isn't a volunteer to host them.
"It's great to know that I have funds to support my groups," said Sarah, "particularly at the moment when I'm a bit low on volunteer hosts. Now I know that I'll always be able to have a tea party and that's really important. For some of my members, the tea party is the only outing they have to look forward to".
Contact the Elderly Fundraising Manager, Keith Arscott and Sarah Ingram receive the cheque from Cambridge United Football Club manager, Martin Ling.
19/5/2010: Flintshire gets it first Contact the Elderly group
The Gronant group is the first group that Contact the Elderly has in the county of Flintshire, and is based in the lovely old building of the Gronant Institute. The volunteers are drawn from both the Institute committee and members of the community.
The village is located within the Rural North Flintshire Neighbourhoods Communities First area, where isolation due to the rural nature of the area is a significant problem. Contact the Elderly was able to make contact with volunteers in the village through the Communities First initiative, and members of the Institute came forward to take on the organsing of the group in the village.
At the launch on Sunday 16th May, 7 older guests from the community enjoyed a sumptuous tea prepared by Wilma Naughton, Group Coordinator and her team of volunteers.
It was a lovely day and everyone is looking forward to next month's tea party.
12/5/2010: Llangynog residents back new group
Llangynog is beautifully situated in the Mid Welsh countryside and this is where Contact the Elderly has launched its 377th group.
The volunteers are all very enthusiastic and with an extremely organised coordinator, Jennifer Eilbeck, everyone in the Llangynog Contact group are looking forward to the tea parties over the coming month.
Mid Wales Development Officer, Liz Morgan, says: "It has been wonderful to work with the volunteers to set up the group. One person said to me that the group had been set up to bring together the elderly, but he felt it was also bringing together the whole village. There were also a few people who had newly moved into the village, who felt it was a great way to become involved in the community."
If you are interested in starting a group where you live or join an existing one, please get in touch. By clicking here you can see where we have groups.
27/4/2010: North Wales volunteers to meet the Queen
As the Queen visits Caernarfonfor the first time in 35 years four Contact the Elderly volunteers prepare to meet her.
Mr William Homewood, coordinator of Llandudno–West Shore group, Menna Jones, coordinator of Ruthin group, and Pat Johnson, coordinator of Prestatyn group and Val Williams, coordinator of Rhyl , were all invited by The Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd to this special event. The invitation was sent to to voluntary and community groups in Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham to attend a unique “Celebrating Volunteering” event in Llandudno.
William, Menna and Pat will all be representing Contact the Elderly at the event whilst Val is representing the Soroptimists, which she is also involved in.
This event is a fantastic opportunity to thank our volunteers and let more people know about the invaluable work they do.
To read more about the Queens visit to Caernarfonfor click here.
26/4/2010: China Dolls raise money for Contact the Elderly
10 women are preparing for a long trek across the China Wall in October this year. One of them, Ashley Goodfellow, is raising money for Contact the Elderly.
She met an older women whilst visiting her own grandmother in hospital, and realised she, like so many other older people, had only one niece who she hardly ever saw.
Ashley's grandmother is fortunate to have a large family to support her, but so many people have no one. Local Contact the Elderly small friendship groups arrange monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties for lonely older people, but it isn't just the older people who get something out of it.
Volunteer driver Katerina says: "Contact the Elderly is a wonderful organisation. I’m delighted to be involved. I joined because I wanted to be of use to others, but to be honest I often wonder who’s getting the benefit! I love listening to Jean, the lady I drive, telling me about her past and bringing it all to life so vividly. I really look forward to our meetings.”
Ashley and her friends are raising money for different charities. We wish these 10 inspirational women all the best of luck in their preparations and fundraising.
You can read about the China Doll's trek across the China Wall here
To join a local Contact the Elderly group and start making a difference to the lives of older people in your local area click here
8/4/2010: The Rotary Club of Cambridge host special tea party at Queens’ College
"As part of our support for the newly established Contact the Elderly Cambridge groups, Cambridge Rutherford Rotary Club hosted an afternoon tea party in the Old Kitchens at Queens’ College. This consisted of 12 elderly guests, six from the group that Rutherford provide monthly drivers for and six from one other Cambridge group.
With the Mathematical Bridge likely to prove too steep, the elderly guests were dropped off at the Queens’ Lane entrance where Alec Motts, Richard Morris, Bob and Sue Tydeman were on hand to assist them through Old Court and into the Old Kitchens where two tables had been set up. The guests, drivers and the Rutherford contingent were then served a delightful tea of sandwiches, cakes and biscuits.
It was good to chat to the guests and learn a little about them. Their recollections of times past were very clear and interesting. One had been employed as a nanny by Elizabeth Taylor in Italy in the late 50’s and early 60’s!
After tea President Mark gave a short talk about Rotary, and Gordon Hannah followed with a brief history of Queens’. The afternoon concluded with everyone gathering inside The Old Hall where Gordon described the origins of this beautiful room.
So completed a most enjoyable event and one that was clearly appreciated by all the elderly guests." writes Tony Littlechild from Cambridge Rutherford Rotary Club.
It certainly was a lovely tea party and everyone enjoyed themselves, especially Marje (pictured below in the right) who was out with the group for the first time, having joined just two weeks ago. Thank you to everyone at the Cambridge Rutherford Rotary Clubfor hosting such a wonderful afternoon.
6/4/2010: Trevor's monthly tea parties still a success
"Forty-five ago this month London solicitor Trevor Lyttleton decided to organise a tea party for some of the elderly people living in his neighbourhood. He was concerned at how isolated many of them felt.
Trevor was in his late 20s at the time and had just returned to London from Cambridge where he’d been studying.
He roped in some friends to help and 12 elderly people had a great afternoon at Hampton Court being treated to cakes, tea and chat.
The tea party was such a success, another one was planned for the next month, then another. The decision to set up further groups came after Trevor received a Christmas card from a woman, which read, “At last I have something to live for”.
Today, Contact the Elderly has 380 groups holding monthly tea parties all over the UK."
Sarah Johnson, from the Sunday Post, went along to a tea party - read here how it went:
Trevor's monthly parties are brimming over with tea and good cheer
29/3/2010: Thoughts from a Bucks volunteer
We had another lovely tea party this month visiting Lynn and Dennis, who hosted their very first tea party in October. I guess we can’t have been too bad last time, and we were very happy to come back!
Visiting hosts for the second time is always really nice, and not only because Pat, Derek and myself tend to get lost when we go to new places. A second visit helps you to get to know the family a bit better, and they also get to know us all too.....
Read the full story of the visit to Lynn and Dennis' on our blog
28/3/2010: Harlow group celebrated the launch with a glass of champagne
It was a lovely afternoon when hostess Coral and her neighbour Lilian provided a warm welcome for the new group with plenty of sandwiches, cakes and tea.
Coral had stepped in at short notice as another host, Sue was unable to host the group as planned due to plumbing problems. Sue was disappointed not to be able to host but baked a wonderful fruit cake and a tasty ginger cake (using a recipe from a previous CtE newsletter).
Members Hilde, Jean and Bud found they had a lot in common and enjoyed an afternoon of pleasant and often funny conversation in the company of drivers Coral F (amazingly, we have 2 Corals in the group!), Claire, Linda and Debby (who is also the co-ordinator of the group).
"It is amazing how much noise a small bunch of people can make and their was a really good buzz in the room. Everyone was so engrossed in conversation that they didn’t notice when it was time to go home at 5.30", said Linda who is also the East England Development Officer.
"We are all looking forward to meeting up again next month when there will hopefully be more members and volunteers."
23/3/2010: Contact the Elderly starts in Texas
Sharing what you enjoy the most can have unexpected happy endings. Reading 2 group member, Alfreda, sent a copy of ContactNews to her daughter in Texas, as there was an article about her group in the bi-annual magazine.
The daughter showed the magazine to some of her friends who were so impressed that they decided to start their own Contact the Elderly group in Hurst, Texas. "It is wonderful we can encourage people across the world to take up this simple concept of afternoon tea parties, and Alfreda and her group are understandably overjoyed by the news", says National Volunteer Support Officer, Suzan Hyland.
If you know someone who are interested in starting a group (inside or outside UK) then please let us know. We are very happy to help anyone start a group so more older people can enjoy regular Sunday afternoons together, knowing someone cares about them.
Hostess Christine talks to Alfreda
2/3/2010: 10 Downing Street celebrates an ageing society
On Monday afternoon three Contact the Elderly members and their volunteer drivers were given the opportunity to visit 10 Downing Street together with Contact the Elderly founder and chairman, Trevor Lyttleton.
Yesterdays reception hosted by the Prime Minister and Sarah Brown celebrated our ageing society and volunteers and charities were recognised by the invaluable work they do.
"There were approximately 120 guests and we were allowed to wander throughout the public rooms of Number 10", says Juanita Fan, driver and coordinator of Southwark 2.
Juanita brought 80 year old Iris, who together with Nelly and Ethel were provided chairs immediately in front of Mr Brown, who gave a short speech.
"I am pretty sure he winked at the three ladies", Juanita says. "We also got to the actor, Richard Wilson and Sir Michael Parkinson. It was such a fun evening, made all the more special by the kind care and attention the staff of Number 10 took of our elderly guests."
24/2/2010: Contact in Sweden
Any amount of snow wasn't going to stop the two groups in Sweden going out. Read here what they have been up to: Contact the Elderly's blog
8/2/2010: Never too late for a Christmas meal
The Wrexham group had decided to have their Christmas lunch in January, to have something to look forward to after Christmas. Due to the amount of snow they had to cancel and the Christmas lunch was rearranged for yesterday (Sunday 7th February) where they all enjoyed turkey, Christmas pudding and mince pies!
4/2/2010: Manchester North launches first group
The first tea party was hosted by Dorothy Knupfer who, as President of the Worsley Inner Wheel, had invited North West Development Officer Mary Robinson to speak at an evening meeting last May from which we gained hosts and drivers.
Providentially, just before the speaking engagement, Mary had spoken to Kaye Willan, Manager of the Furnishing Fabric department at John Lewis in Trafford, who offered to drive if a group existed in Worsley where she lived. She is now the Group Coordinator as well.
With the help from various agencies particularly Age Concern, Salford, the group came together with excitement and enthusiasm. On the long awaited day (31st January) there was a dusting of snow early in the morning. This however failed to damp our members’ determination to get out and enjoy the afternoon. After a further check with the drivers that all was well with the roads and pavements, a memorable afternoon was had by all.
It is the 20th group in the North West.
28/1/2010: Tasting tea with Contact the Elderly
Sarah Ingram, Branch Forum Coordinator in John Lewis Cambridge, was seconded to Contact the Elderly for six months last year. Her goal was to start the first group in Cambrisge, but once she started she couldn't stop, and she has stayed involved as Area Organiser for Contact the Elderly.
At the end of this month, the year long association between John Lewis and Contact the Elderly comes to an end. It was very fitting, therefore, that on Sunday 17 January, I was able to launch the third (and final) John Lewis Cambridge Contact the Elderly tea party group!
Actually, the third group would be more accurately called the Rotary group since it owes its existence almost entirely to a local Rotary Club. During my Golden Jubilee Trust secondment last year, I was given an introduction to the President (Mark Robinson) and the Chairman of the Community Service Committee (Tony Littlechild) of the Rotary Club Cambridge Rutherford. I was invited to one of the Club’s meetings to give a presentation about Contact the Elderly (a most enjoyable experience as I was treated to lunch in beautiful Queen’s College and the company of a large group of polite and attentive gentlemen!) and the tea party we held last Sunday represented the flowering and fruiting of those seeds I planted six months ago. Over 20 members of the Rotary Club have volunteered to drive for Contact the Elderly - which is a staggering number of volunteers to come from one organisation.
To make the launch of the third group really special, I decided to hold a party for all the CtE groups and gratefully took up the offer of a local production company, Tracing Tea, to provide a tea tasting for us. So on Sunday, members and volunteers from all three groups together with representatives from JLC (Adrian Kyndt) and CtE (Linda Braeburn) met at St Philip’s School in Romsey, nervously wondering what a tea tasting would be like.
It was a fun afternoon and for many members, it was the first time they’d ventured out since before Christmas. So there was quite a buzz as ‘old’ members and volunteers caught up with each other and ‘new’ members and volunteers began to get to know each other and discovered interesting things about each other - for example that they are distantly related!
I’m thrilled that I’ve been able to achieve so much during this last year, thanks to the kindness and generosity of all the volunteers and the support of people at Contact the Elderly and in John Lewis Cambridge. Above all, I’m glad I’ve got to know these extraordinary people: Audrey and Vi (my own special passengers), Frank, John, Jeanie, Rachel (who sadly passed away last week), Glad, Nancy, Peggy, Joy, June and June, Joyce and Betty and Sheila. We’re going to have such fun this year! And even though John Lewis Cambridge’s official connection with Contact the Elderly will end at the end of the month, the legacy will continue for as long as there are John Lewis Cambridge tea party groups.
If you would like to join in the fun, find out more from Sarah on ext 4170 or BFC_Cambridge@johnlewis.co.uk.
27/1/2010: Local Swindon business raises money for Contact the Elderly group
Arval, a local Swindon business, donated £1000 to the Swindon 2 group. Every month Arval donates £100 to local community projects, and Contact the Elderly was amongst the 12 lucky charities.
Once a year Arval choose one of the organisations to receive a further £1000. Coordinator Eileen Morris says: " We were so surprised to hear we won the big donation. With £1000 we can go on outings or have a lovely meal. We are all busy deciding what to spend the money on, but it will probably include a trip out in the summer for the members."
27/1/2010: New group supported by local MP
Tom Brake, Carshalton and Wallington MP, said of the new group, 'I am pleased to be able to help 'Contact the Elderly' set up such a great project. The social get-togethers the groups organise are so valuable for socially isolated older people and offer them a chance to engage with their local community. The group relies on the goodwill of volunteers to drive the guests to the tea parties or host a party in their own home. Volunteers only have to commit to helping out one Sunday a month or by hosting a tea party once or twice a year.' Read more
The group is set to launch in March, but we are still looking for 1-2 more volunteers with cars and 3-4 volunteers who can host a tea party once or twice a year.
If you can help please fill in our application form here.
18/1/2010: Second group in Lewisham launched
The first tea party of the new Lewisham 2 group was held on the 17th January at the lovely home of Margaret Riddell, who has been hosting for over 25 years.
Margaret and her sister Mary gave a very warm welcome to 4 members of the group Audrey, Doris Elsie and Ethel, the driver and coordinator Russell and drivers Susan and Corinne, and their neighbour Alex.
The atmosphere was fun and relaxed, with lots of stories being told of how the area has changed over the year. Any initial nerves that some of the members and volunteers may have had soon went away, and all are already looking forward to the 2nd tea party in February, when they will be joined by 3 other new guests.
11/1/2010: Job opportunities at Contact the Elderly
We currently have 1 available job at Contact the Elderly.
North London Development Officer
Please send your signed application form by close of business 26th January to Contact the Elderly, 15 Henrietta Street, London WC2E 8QG.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews to be held 2nd February in Henrietta Street.
North London Development Officer job description
8/1/2010: Celebrating Christmas together
Hannah Guntrip (Coordinator of the Oswestry & Borders Group) writes:
Some time before Christmas, Santa’s little helpers began scurrying away to find wonderful people who would like to donate items for hampers to be given out to each member of the St Martins Contact The Elderly Group. As we have such fabulous hosts and a great local independent supermarket ‘Stans’, we managed to get lots of goodies to fill these hampers for some fabulous people.
Christmas eve came and saw me frantically icing mini Christmas cakes and a good friend I’d roped in packing the hampers to look absolutely gorgeous! Then the delivering began. Despite the snow and ice, each older person (other than the two who were in hospital at the time) received their hamper on either Christmas eve or Christmas Day. It was such a privilege being able to spend a small amount of time with each person over the festive period and each one was overjoyed with the goodies they received and of course the love that they knew was behind it. More than one person said that this was the first hamper they had ever received and it just made me feel so good about doing something for other people at a time of the year when we can get so consumed in our own desires.
Christmas day then arrived, some of our fabulous hosts Alison and Kim, had offered to host a Christmas dinner for the older people who otherwise would have been spending Christmas day alone. Alison’s family had travelled in to St Martins from as far as New York and Spain and were all very happy to get involved and help on the big day. Walter, our only male member came dressed in a dinner suit and each person looked amazing! Alison, Kim and their family went to so much effort to ensure that a fantastic time was had by all. There was sherry on arrival, a full Christmas dinner with all the trimmings which was followed by Christmas pudding, brandy butter, then stilton and port arrived and then of course coffee and mints. We then all came round together and had a sing song of some Christmas tunes as well as some old favourites, it was just great and a memory I will honestly treasure forever.
After watching the Queens speech it was time for the journey home, with a bag full of goodies to eat on boxing day of course. As Walter is originally from Germany he had said that his favourite thing to eat was German apple strudel. Alison’s sister Mandy had even gone to the effort of making him one to take home with him. Just amazing!!!
What was so impressive was the warm welcome that we all felt from Alison, Kim and their family. It was like we were all relatives of theirs and they were so pleased to see us.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Alison, Kim and all of the other hosts and volunteer drivers who selflessly do things for the older people of St Martins and the surrounding villages. Without them we would not exist and it is a privilege to be involved in such a fantastic organisation and work with so many brilliant people!!!!!!!
21/12/2009: Christmas Competition
As in previous years the posters on the London Underground has been sponsored by appiChar, our IT suppliers.
This year they are running a Christmas competition - and offers a box of chocolates to the first five people to email a photo of one of these posters to them.
In your email, tell them where you saw it and make sure to include your address and contact details so they can get the prize out to you.
As a bonus, if someone who isn’t an appiChar customer contacts them with an entry, and mentions Contact the Elderly in the email, we will both get some chocolates!
Send your email to: J.White@appichar.co.uk
So get your cameras and start looking for our poster
- here is what to look for:
Picture taken by coordinator Juanita Fan, Southwark 2
21/12/2009: Christmas in South Manchester
It’s been just over a year
Since our friendship group first met
So we spread some Christmas cheer
At the best group meeting yet!
There was Caroline and Lisa
And a giggling group of Joans!
We had a poem from Sue, our leader,
And a story from Aled Jones!
There were antlers (Brian wore them)
Santa hats and mince pies too
And samosas – we adore them
(they go nicely with a brew)
We remembered previous meetings
In the South Manchester zone
We thanked hosts for their kind greetings -
We couldn’t manage on our own
From South Manchester we wish you
A fantastic 2010
And if you find you enjoyed this,
You may just hear from me again!
17/12/2009: Poster on the London Underground
Do let us know when and where you see the posters - and send us a picture if possible!
16/12/2009: Tea Party at Harrods
It was a wonderful afternoon when Harrods staff invited 15 Contact the Elderly members and their volunteer drivers to a tea party.
Christmas carols were sung followed by an interesting story and pictures of Harrods from when it started. The sandwiches, scones, cakes and cups of tea were served by the helpful staff.
All of a sudden there was a loud knock on the door, and in came Father Christmas. He spent plenty of time talking to everyone and received a number of kisses from the ladies...
Joyce meets Father Christmas
Thank you to the Harrods staff for an unforgettable afternoon.
15/12/2009: Gold Stars
Gold Stars from Joan Newland, coordinator of Bracknell 2:
Debbie & Paul Hennah, and their children, Georgina, Lily & Tom, pulled out all the stops to make it a special Christmas tea party.
Their children bravely sang Carols to everyone and played on the piano. I might add that this is the third tea party they have done for us this year, and Debbie is finding me some more hosts. So Gold Star to Debbie and family!
BAE Systems, once again helped produced the most wonderful hampers for Contact Elderly, these were received with great delight, they could not believe that that had them once again.
So a very big thank you to BAE Systems from our nine elderly Alice Jean, Daphne. Joan Amy Harry, Nancy, Bronwen, and Ena, - but especially to Wendy who organised it, I understand she will be leaving the company so good luck, and a Gold Star Award to Wendy.
11/12/2009: Thoughts from a Bucks volunteer
As I work full time, weekends are the only time I have to get things done. This is why driving once a month is ideal. However, sometimes it’s difficult to even keep an occasional Sunday afternoon free!
I’m hopefully about to move home and the tea party fell in the middle of the big attic clearout. Realising, late on Saturday, it wouldn’t be done in time I agonised what to do. Could I bring myself to call Pat and Derek and tell them they couldn’t go out this month?
Read this month's Thoughts from a Bucks volunteer on our blog.
9/12/2009: Two new groups in Medway
Next week 11 older people in Medway can say goodbye to their four walls as they join one of the two new Contact the Elderly groups in the area.
"We did have a group in the area, but it closed due to lack of volunteers, but we now have 12 keen volunteers", says Suzan Hyland, National Volunteer Support Officer. "The two coordinators are great and they can't wait for everyone to meet for the first time."
"The volunteer drivers have met the members they will pick up, but next week will be the first time they are all meeting", says Suzan. "It is always great at a launch party when you get everyone in and the chatting and laughter starts."
25/11/2009: AldreKontakt in Sweden launches its second group
AldreKontakt, an organisation which has taken the simple concept of Contact the Elderly to Sweden, has now launched its second group in Stockholm.
Therese Karlsson says: "Christine Johansson is doing a splendid job as group leader, coordinating the group and together with the drivers they make it possible for 6 older ladies to meet once a month from here on.
The guests are very happy to have gotten this chance to come out and make new friends, and are greatful to all the hosts for inviting them to their homes.
For the first outing the group went to Djursholm, a residential district 15 min outside the city, and was welcomed by Sophia Nybell and her family.
It was a typically rainy November day and everyone was glad to come inside and sit near the open fire in the living room.
Delicious sandwiches were served, many cups of coffee and tea were poured and the cat Felicia enjoyed all the attention. The two hours went by fast with chat and laughter and they all look forward to seeing each other soon again."
25/11/2009: Notttinghams first group launches
The first group in Nottinghamshire was launched on Sunday.
Corrdinator Lin Hope said: "Everyone had a wonderful time, Our host Joyce Dyer and her husband Chris gave the older guests an excellent tea with home made cakes and pies.
The new members continually thanked Joyce and me and said it was one of the best days out they can remember. One guest said she didn't know that there were so many nice people around that did things like this for nothing. It more than made up for the work I have put in trying to get things going!
When it came to just after 5p.m. it was a bit like a pub at closing time, no one was keen to leave.
One of the guests had just had a mince pie and she said she had made a wish for a toy boy, then Oliver walked in (a handsome young man of 22 years) she said her wish had been granted. He is joining the group and is already everyone's favourite!"
We welcome the new group and wish them many happy future tea parties!
17/11/2009: Thank You!
We received a heartfelt thank you from the youngest son of a member of the Bristol group. The son lives in Canada.
"I would like to thank you personally very very much for your involvement in the "Contact The Elderly Group" and I would appreciate it very much if you will forward my thanks to all of your local group for their selfless volunteer efforts on behalf of the elderly.
I know my mother really enjoys her monthly outings and she speaks very highly of you personally, as well as the others for the time, effort, and expenditure you undertake on her (and others) behalf.
It's very difficult for me, over here, to do much other than phone her twice a week, (as well as phone my older brother) to make sure everything is as good as can be expected.
The actions of yourself and your group go a long way to helping ease my mind with respect to her welfare.
Thanks once again"
From Contact the Elderly there is also a big thank you to coordinator Isabel and her group.
29/10/2009: More than just practical needs
Exploring more than “just” the practical needs of the oldest old in the UK today was the theme of the conference organised by Contact the Elderly this week.
Health professionals, academics, representatives of Local Authorities, Charitable Trusts and Charities came together to discuss the often debilitating impact on individual lives of acute isolation and loneliness in old age and its implications for society. Whilst also considering the current range of befriending options that exist and the role they have to play alongside other new initiatives helping combat such dreadful isolation and understanding more about the preventative benefits of such social activities for the health and future well being of the elderly.
Read the summary of the report conference here.
Notes from speakers can be found on our Resources page
29/10/2009: Contact the Elderly AGM
Volunteers were thanked for their continued support and enthusiasm at Contact the Elderly's AGM on Wednesday 28th October 2009.
Contact the Elderly President Lady Jasmine Cavendish said in her speech:
"Contact’s army of volunteers makes a contribution of priceless value to the health and happiness of vulnerable people across the country.
For many of the people you support, the busiest days of their lives are behind them, and they look forward to Contact tea parties for days and weeks.
The long days of being alone can feel especially empty. Their bodies may not be able to run around chasing things into the right place but their minds are full of what they used to do and the people they knew.
As a wise old Greek philosopher (Seneca) once said: “Where ever there is a human being – there is an opportunity for kindness.”
Contact is living proof of that wise and enduring sentiment. Nothing can be of more value than human contact. Volunteering for Contact takes a very special person, and those special people are you.
Thank you for changing people’s lives for the better.
Thank you for remembering all the thousands of things you do for Contact.
But most of all thank you for taking the time to be organised and for putting Contact at the top of the list."
To read all the speeches please click here
Marsh Christian Trust Awards
After the AGM several volunteers were awarded for their commitment to Contact the Elderly. The Marsh Christian Trust awards volunteers who go 'above and beyond' the call of duty, with a winner for each region of the country as well as an overall winner.
Penny Tillott, coordinator of the Welshpool Group was surprised and delighted to be this year's overall winner. Penny says she loves her volunteering: “Because the group meets on a Sunday, it fits in very well around work and family. I really enjoy chatting with the older people and hearing their stories.”
To see all the winners of the Marsh Christian Trust awards please click here
Janet Atfield Award
Each year we also award the volunteer who recruits the most new volunteers amongst friends and family.
This year the winner was Dr Shirley McEwan from the Dundee group.
"In the past year, since she has become the Dundee Group Coordinator, she has recruited no less than 15 drivers/hosts for her group from amongst her own friends/colleagues.
She revitalized the group when she took over and she now has so many of her friends willing to host tea parties that she doesn’t have enough dates on the calendar to fit them all in in a year, hence we are now looking at starting up another Dundee group", says Morna O'May, East Scotland Development Officer.
Lady Jasmine Cavendish, Dr Shirley McEwan and Trevor Lyttleton MBE
27/10/2009: Thought from a Bucks volunteer
"For me there were plenty of highlights: The sight of Bill and Lynn, deep in conversation about Malta and life in the Navy, Violet refusing my silent prompts from the other side of the room to be the first to try the beautiful Victoria Sponge and us both giggling when Dennis discovered what we were doing..."
Volunteers and members take it in turn to contribute to Contact the Elderly's very own blog. Follow our blog to get a real insight into what happens at our Sunday afternoon tea parties. Contact the Elderly's blog
23/10/2009: Contact the Elderly's new blog
Have you wondered what actually goes on at the tea parties? And what do the members really think about it?
Well now there is an answer! Members and volunteers are contributing to Contact the Elderly's very own blog, giving readers an insight to the Sunday afternoon tea parties.
Below is an extract from 86 years old Olive's account of her first tea party and what a difference being a member of her group has made to her life:
Olive calling!
The Brentwood group of Contact the Elderly started in October 2008 with our first tea party to which I had been invited. With some trepidation I arrived with five other new members who were so friendly encouraged by the `army` of volunteers who waited on us and immediately put us at ease.... Continue reading here
12/10/2009: From Little Venice to Birmingham
At 11am Greg Keen, a working pensioner at John Lewis Oxford Street, set off along the Grand Union Canal towards Birmingham.
He says: I am walking the 147 miles from Little Venice to Birmingham along The Grand Union Canal. It will take me 10 days.
My target is £1000 which is all for Contact the Elderly, John Lewis' Partners' Charity of the Year.
You can support Greg here: www.justgiving.com/GregKeen
9/10/2009: Speed dating in Cambridge
Sarah Ingram, coordinator of the two Cambridge groups, went speed dating this week.
The event was run by the local volunteer centre for Cambridgeshire County Council and 8 local charities took part.
Sarah says: "Potential volunteers (all from the council) spent 4 minutes with each charity so we could tell them why they would like to volunteer with us. They marked on their sheets whether they
a) would like to volunteer with a particular charity
b) if wouldn’t like to volunteer or
c) were sort of interested but would like to know more."
"We (the charities) had similar sheets and marked whether we thought they would make a good volunteer, weren’t suitable/interested, or just possible volunteers."
"After the session, the volunteer bureau compared the two sheets and where there was a match, passed volunteer details on to the relevant charity."
"It was great fun – and I got four potential volunteers out of it!"
We will follow up on the speed dating matches and see who goes for the full commitment.
8/10/2009: I used to wake up in the morning and wish I hadn’t
We were touched to hear the comment from a new member of our Oswestry group, who said at their last tea party “I used to wake up in the morning and wish I hadn't. Now I have something to look forward to."
Thanks to all our Oswestry volunteers for making this happen!
6/10/2009: Second group on Cambridge launched
It was a lovely sunny afternoon when members and volunteers got together for the first time in Cambridge.
Coordinator Sarah Ingram, who worked for Contact the Elderly on a 6 months secondment from John Lewis ending in August, said: It was a great success and everyone had such a wonderful time. The host family was great and it was lovely to have their children there too.
6/10/2009: Research into the internet use of computer users
Marianne Markowski, a PhD student at Middlesex University, is researching the internet use of computer users, to help her develop a networking tool for older people. Please help her with her research by filling in her online survey. Click here to take part
28/9/2009: Thoughts from a volunteer driver
I’ve been driving for Contact the Elderly for almost four years and have been to almost 40 tea parties. Whilst this is hardly any compared to most drivers, I feel really close to my group and our wonderful hosts and hostesses. However, as our group gets on so well together, I tend to forget the age differences and I don’t really think of the difference we make to our elderly guests.
However, two months ago I started to pick up a new member, Derek, an elderly gentleman in his early nineties, whose family live a five hour drive away. Derek is a true gentleman and he seems to be fitting into our little group very well. His first two outings have been to very different hosts, his first to a beautiful house in the country, and his second to a lively house in the town, hosted by a young couple with two small girls, aged 2 and 5.
When dropping Derek home in the evening, I asked him how he found the group, and explained how our hosts are so very different. I was really touched when he said “I hadn’t expected to feel so welcome, as a true member of their family”.
I’ve been to so many tea parties that I know what to expect, but it’s only when I was shown the tea parties through fresh eyes that I saw how appreciated the tea parties are and what an amazing job our hosts do.
From a driver, thank you.
25/9/2009: Chelsea FC and Contact the Elderly
We’re very grateful to David Whittaker, Contact the Elderly volunteer and lifelong Chelsea fan, who helped arrange a matchday collection at the recent Chelsea v Porto Champions League match.
Generous Chelsea fans raised a fantastic £1,335 – what a result!
25/9/2009: Volunteer thank you at stunning Bodelwyddan Castle
23/9/2009: Super sunny Sunday afternoon
It was a lovely sunny afternoon when the Bracknell group last met for Sunday tea. They all enjoyed the garden, and were glad to find a bit of shade as well to keep the drinks cool.
23/9/2009: Surprise party for Iris
For Iris this was just another Contact the Elderly tea party, when she was picked up by her driver last Sunday. Little did she know coordinator Juanita had arranged a surprise party for her, inviting friends and family.
A beautifully decorated cake was enjoyed and Iris was particularly pleased with the performance by Gabby Young & Other Animals, a band she had seen live at a tea party in June.
As a present the band gave Iris a signed copy of their new album, which is released in October at an event in Bush Hall. Iris will of course be there too together with the volunteers from her group.
Iris and Juanita with Gabby Young & Other Animals.
14/9/2009: Lewisham 6a have a great time in Bexley
The Lewisham 6a group enjoyed a sunny day out at Hall Place and Gardens in Bexley.
Elsa, one of the drivers, brought some old bread and everyone had a great time feeding the ducks and geese.
4/9/2009: Redhill group visits a vineyard
A lovely day out for the group
2/9/2009: Fun Runs fund afternoon tea
Christina Smith, a young driver with the Winslow group, has raised £200 by taking part in different fun runs this summer.
The group will spend the funds to go on a trip to Hartwell House for Christmas tea.
1/9/2009: Aylesbury group receive a very special visitor
Timmy and enjoys the attention
28/8/2009: BBC Radio Cornwall promotes Contact the Elderly
This morning BBC Radio Cornwall broadcasted an interview with Lisa Maskell who is setting up a group in Hayle in Cornwall.
The two presenters, Duncan Warren and Pam Spriggs, were very enthusiastic about Contact the Elderly. The group is hoping to launch before Christmas, but needs more volunteer drivers and hosts.
Please let us know if you are able to help us by calling 0800 716 543
You can listen to the radio interview by clicking the link below - it was on at 8.39 this morning, and listening to the programme you’ll find it at 1.38.46 hrs in the 2 hours programme.
BBC Radio Cornwall interview with Lisa Maskell
27/8/2009: Contact the Elderly on Radio Cornwall
Volunteer coordinator Lisa Maskell, is helping us start a new group in Hayle in Cornwall. The group is hoping to launch before Christmas, but are still looking for more volunteer drivers and hosts.
"This will be the fourth group in Cornwall", says Suzan Hyland, National Volunteer Support Officer, "It is wonderful Lisa is helping us start a new group in the area, as it is deserately needed."
Lisa was interviewed for Radio Cornwall, talking about her new group and the interview will be aired tomorrow morning (Friday 28th).
If you are interested in helping the Hayle group, or would like to join as a member, please call 0800 716 543.
20/8/2009: A cup of tea can help reduce stress
Researchers proved what generations of Britons already believe by concluding that drinking tea in times of stress had a "significantly" calming effect.
Nearly 70% of the country turns to tea in a dilemma, making the humble brew the UK's most common response to trouble above phoning home, the research claimed.
Tests, led by psychologist Dr Malcolm Cross at City University London, showed that even a single cup of tea can significantly reduce anxiety levels. He said: "The ritual of making and drinking tea - particularly during times of stress - is at the very core of British culture.
20/8/2009: AldreKontakt members enjoy the pool on a hot summers day
Pictures from the last outing
7/8/2009: Diversity signs Contact the Elderly poster
Friendship Line Officer Gemma
MacNulty collects autographs
from Ashley Banjo.
After performing in Covent Garden all 12 members of dance group Diversity, who won the Britain's Got Talent competition earlier this year, signed a Contact the Elderly poster.
The poster has now made it to the 'Wall of Fame' in 15 Henrietta Street alongside photos of Jonathan Ross, signed poster by James May .
Do come in and have a look next time you are in the area!
7/8/2009: Tales from the Home Office
6/8/2009: 10th birthday in Newbury
The Newbury 1 group enjoys the delicious cakes
The 1st Newbury Contact the Elderly group celebrated their tenth birthday on Sunday 21st June 2009.
Sybil, member of the group, has been coming out with the group every month since the beginning.
Daphne Snook, Anne Kilpatrick and Mavis Greenhalgh all joined as drivers 10 years ago, and are still enjoying voilunteering today.
The group spent its 10th birthday reminising over old times, singing Happy Birthday and enjoying birthday cakes with the Contact Logo supplied by Jill Wilson, a long standing driver.
New guest Iain and new driver Carole had a lovely first tea party which was hosted by Lucinda and Edward Hall.
They all enjoyed the afternoon and look forward to many more tea parties.
31/7/2009: Contact the Elderly chosen by energie fitness for women
Contact the Elderly has been made the nominated charity for this year by the Eastbourne branch of the national fitness chain "energie fitness for women".
The gym will be raising money and helping us find much needed volunteers for our local groups.
29/7/2009: Cambridge's first Contact the Elderly group
The new group was set up by Sarah Ingram, an employee at John Lewis Cambridge who has been awarded a six month secondment specifically to set up new groups in Cambridge where previously these did not exist.
The first Cambridge group enjoyed its first tea party in the Brasserie at the John Lewis shop in Cambridge.
“I’m delighted to have launched the first ever group of Contact the Elderly in Cambridge,” explains Sarah. “One of my guests told me that she used to dread Sunday afternoons but now she’s really looking forward to them. What better way of spending a Sunday afternoon is there than having a lovely time with new friends?!”
Sarah is busy setting up group number two, and is looking for more volunteers, so please get in touch if you would like to join, or know someone who is interested!
28/7/2009: Friendship Fund benefits from 90th birthday celebration
Mrs Winter from Bournemouth's 90th birthday celebrations in July raised a wonderful £165 for the Friendship Fund. The celebration, organised by Mrs Winter's daughter and son in law, asked for donations rather than presents - with donations to be used to launch more Contact groups across the UK. Mrs Winter also passed on her thanks to Peter and Carolyn Dennis, who do a fantastic job arranging our outings in Bournemouth.
We're hugely grateful to Mrs Winter for this wonderful gesture, and we have put the donations into our new Friendship Fund, where she is warmly welcomed as our 107th member.
24/7/2009: Chelmsford's poet
At a recent tea party in Chelmsford new member Stan was inspired by the poets in the group to write his own poem:
Life without friends by Stan Parker
Life without friends
Is like a garden without flowers,
Life is empty and all alone.
It's sad to know people are on their own
With no one to speak to of life gone by.
Someone knocked at my door one day
It was Contact who came through my door;
They told me about Contact and what they are for
So thanks to them I'm alone no more.
Thanks to the people who I knew not before
Who invite all of us through their door.
Stan who is 83 years old, joined the Chelmsford group recently and is enjoying the company of the new friends he has met.
20/7/2009: Contact the Elderly launches its 366th group
Volunteers and members in Leamington Spa got together yesterday to celebrate the launch of the new group.
The launch was held on the same day as The Big Lunch, the initiative to get communities to sit down and have lunch together.
we would like to welcome all the new members and volunteers in Leamington Spa - enjoy the tea parties!
17/7/2009: Today was Fun supports Contact the Elderly
17/7/2009: Tea Cosy of the Week
Lyons Nippy tea cosy
Dorine from Aylesbury 1 got inspired by SuperJam's tea cosy of the week competition, and got knitting.
The result was a Lyons Nippy - a waitress from the Lyons Corner Houses.
Fraser from SuperJam saw the tea cosy when he last visited us and chose it as the Tea Cosy of the Week.
Congratulations Dorine!
To see SuperJam's blog and tea cosies of the week click here
13/7/2009: Contact runners raise £7,500 to launch new group
David and Abigail run the British 10K
Fun runners from John Lewis stores in Oxford Street, Milton Keynes, Brent Cross, joined Contact the Elderly volunteers and supporters to run the British 10k on Sunday, raising a whopping £7,500 in the process.
David Whittaker (pictured), top fundraiser with a pledged £1,400 said "It was good fun and I'm glad my sponsorship will make a difference".
To see a breakdown of individual times and fundraising totals visit www.justgiving.com/contact10krun. Also, if you'd like to do something similar please get in touch!
13/7/2009: Interesting stories told at first tea party in Oswestry and Borders
Walter and Beryl sharing photos
Six elderly people were collected by volunteer drivers and taken along to enjoy afternoon tea together, when the new Oswestry and Borders Contact the Elderly group held its first tea party.
As soon as the tea was poured stories were being told across the table. And it was amazing what tales they had to tell!
Many of them had to stories about D Day, and knew exactly where they were on that day.
Among the elderly guests was 86 year old Walter, who remembers D-Day for different reasons.
Walter was born in 1923 in Gorlitz, Germany. He began his working life as an apprentice builder, but in 1941 joined the 4th SS Polizei Division, part of Waffen SS. In January 1942 he was sent to Russia.
"We were in the Lake Lagoda campaign," he said, "and there was fierce fighting. It was bitterly cold. More died of frostbite than of enemy action."
Walter remembers the atrocious conditions, and vehicles stuck up to their axels in ice and mud. Out of 50 men in his unit, only four survived.
He was awarded the Iron Cross for bravery in action, but doesn't have it anymore as he swapped it later for 50 cigarettes.
As they returned from the front, Walter was taken prisoner by the Americans and then passed onto the English. He was brought as a prisoner of war, to an old cotton mill in Blackburn, Lancashire. "It was crowded," he said, "but warm and dry. We got sausages and bread with mustard, and there were no bullets. Bloody marvellous!"
We welcome the new gorup, and look forward to hearing more stories from Walter and his new friends.
13/7/2009: New group in West Liverpool
Beautiful weather at the launch party sent the new Liverpool group off to a great start. It was a superb day and launch of the group which covers West Liverpool. The volunteers are all very committed and everyone is looking forward to many more tea parties.
9/7/2009: Giving in Memory
We were touched to receive £265 from friends and family members in memory of the late Mr George Duthie. At such a time of loss these gifts are most kind and will be used to help launch a new Contact the Elderly group in East Scotland, near to Mr Duthie's own group in Dalgety Bay.
Gifts in memory play an important role in helping us reach more people, keeping the fun and laughter going and making a lasting difference.
7/7/2009: Year 12 pupils raise money for Contact the Elderly
We were overjoyed to learn that the Francis Holland School, London has chosen to support Contact the Elderly. Year 12 pupils recently carried out a street collection for Alexandra Rose Charities, and nominated us to receive more than £700 from the collection. This is wonderful news, which came completely out of the blue!
Thank you to everyone at the school, and especially to the first person to mention Contact the Elderly and persuade everyone else to support us!
6/7/2009: Tales from the Home Office
Sarah Ingram
Sarah Ingram, from John Lewis Cambridge, has been seconded to Contact the Elderly for six months to help start our first group in Cambridge.
Follow her journey of working from her home office and her quest to start a new Contact the Elderly group with the help of local knowledge, colleagues, friends and family - and anyone else she meets on her way.
25/6/2009: Pub quiz raises £2,000
Over 60 volunteers and supporters came along to Contact the Elderly's second annual pub quiz last night.
Players answered questions, made sculptures, solved brain teasers, stood up and sat back down again, bought lots of raffle ticket and offered very generous bids at the silent auction.
Everyone had a great time and the quiz raised almost £2,000 to support our work.
We're very grateful to the many companies and individuals who gave their time and donated lots of prizes to make the night an amazing success. You know who you are!
If you'd like to hold a pub quiz to raise money for Contact the Elderly, please give us a call and we'd be happy to help you.
To see more photos of the night, click here
22/6/2009: Super Fundraisers look forward to 10k race
John Durrant receives his
well-deserved medal after
running 10k in 2008
He is running this year as well.
David Whittaker, volunteer and keen runner, is leading the pack for Sunday's British 10k, with £925 already raised in sponsorship. Our wonderful team of 62 runners are aiming to raise a whopping £15,000 to launch three new Contact the Elderly groups and leave a lasting legacy when their aches and pains are forgotten
Following closely behind are Lorraine and Nigel Wade with £400 and a host of other runners all doing their bit! To see how everyone's getting on please
visit www.justgiving.com/contact10krun
and choose someone to support!
12/6/2009: Lewisham volunteer runs BUPA 10K
Big thanks from all at Contact the Elderly to Bethany Haughey from the Lewisham 6a group who ran the BUPA 10k to raise money for Contact the Elderly.
5/6/2009: Friendship Fund celebrates 100th member
We are delighted to welcome Mr W Brook as the 100th member of Contact the Elderly's Friendship Fund, swiftly followed by Ms S Reed and Mr F Sapsford as members 101 and 102.
Our Friendship Fund giving club is a great way to join others to make a lifechanging difference. Friendship Fund members give £5 or more a month, and together our 102 members have committed to giving a truly amazing £10,000 a year - enough to extend the hand of friendship to an extra 30 lonely, elderly people each year, and welcome them into their local group - a simple act which changes lives forever.
It's really easy to join the club, and the more members we have, the greater difference we can make. To join, click here.
5/5/2009: ‘Sorry wrong number’ campaign in Bristol
Click to view leaflet
For many lonely, elderly people, a wrong number will be the closest they'll come to a conversation for weeks on end.
In Bristol throughout May, our first 'Sorry wrong number' campaign encourages people to give money, volunteer or recommend potential guests for our groups. Please help today and give lonely, elderly people a brighter tomorrow.
26/4/2009: London Marathon 2009
Liv and friends
We're very grateful to Liv Birch and Mai-Ling Ho who ran the London Marathon for Contact the Elderly, and did an amazing job.
Mai-Ling completed the course in 3:58 and has raised over two thousand pound to support our groups in the West Midlands.
Liv posted a great time of 4:27 and has raised almost a thousand pounds for Contact the Elderly in Yorkshire, in memory of her grandfather, who was a member of our York group.
Together the money they raised will bring a lot of happiness to a lot of people, and we're grateful for all they've done. Thank you!
To show your support, please visit http://www.justgiving.com/mailingho http://www.justgiving.com/livbirch and give as much as you can.
24/4/2009: John Lewis fundraising activities during Charity Week
As part of our Charity of the Year partnership with John Lewis, the stores will be doing lots of exciting events and fundraising challenges between 26th April and 3rd May. Many of these will be taking place on the shop floor with the opportunity for customers to join in, enter competitions and find out more about Contact the Elderly in the process.
Also, from 26th April, all of the 'The Place to Eat' cafes in stores will be selling 'Anna's Sticky Toffee Choccy Cheesecake' in aid of Contact the Elderly so there has never been a better excuse to treat yourself and indulge. It's all for a good cause!
This page will be updated throughout the week.
John Lewis Fundraising Activities:
Bluewater partners in the call centre will be doing a cycle-athon during the week. Customers will have the opportunity to guess the cost of men's and women's outfits and a set of china, with the correct guesses winning the items on display.
Brent Cross has events taking place throughout the week including competitions and raffles. Wednesday afternoon they are hosting a tea party in The Place to Eat with entertainment from a local choir.
Cambridge are hosting a lots of activities and competitions throughout the week on the shop floor with a 'virtual row' between Oxford and Cambridge, and 'guess how long the painting took' competition, the correct entry winning the piece of original artwork!
High Wycombe will have a Wii Bowling competition and a raffle to win toys for outdoors. On Wednesday Partners will be offering shoe shining in return for a donation to Contact the Elderly and manicures will be available between 11am and 5pm on Thursday.
Kingston will hold a tea party on Wednesday for local Contact the Elderly groups with entertainment from The Portobello Jazz Band and a visit from the local Mayor.
Leicester is having tea party with a raffle between 3pm and 4.30pm. Prizes include a personalised Emma Bridgewater Teapot, a Clarins Spa treatment, a Bobbi Brown make up lesson and a meal for two in The Place to Eat. On the shop floor there will also be a fastest duvet change competition and a table tennis tournament with prizes for the winners.
Milton Keynes will be having a tea party on 1st May and they will also have a 'live window' with lots of information about Contact the Elderly available. See what Milton Keynes Internet Television said here.
Newcastle has lots going on. In return for a donation you might enjoy mini makeovers and nail/hand treatments Thursday 10-2. There will also be Canon photo shoots between 10am and 5pm on Saturday. The Place to Eat will like all stores sell Partner Cake too!
Norwich is pampering customers in return for donations, with facials and massages in the beauty department. The kitchenware department will be demonstrating their kitchen gadgets, providing the opportunity to sample freshly made smoothies, fries and coffee.
Nottingham will have activities and competitions taking place throughout the week and on Saturday the Contact the Elderly stand will be giving out more information.
Oxford Street has range of things planned throughout the week. On the shop floor Partners will be on rowing across the channel on rowing.
Peterborough are doing a virtual race on the shop floor on Saturday, so go along and show your support to all the John Lewis Partners sweating it out for a good cause.
Sheffield store is hosting a tea party in the The Place to Eat, 2.30pm – 4.30pm on Thursday plus competitions all week including the chance to win a personalised Emma Bridgewater Teapot and a guess the price of the items game.
Watford will be having a cycling challenge from Tuesday to Saturday and guessing the correct amount of miles travelled will win you a £50 gift voucher. There is a lucky dip to win a bottle of champagne and a tea cup treasure hunt for children. All of this is taking place on the first floor in the Furniture department.
7/4/2009: Islington launches second group
Joseph talks about his time as an actor
On a sunny afternoon in Islington older people and volunteers made their way to the home of Liz and Julian Stock, who were hosting their first tea party.
It was a lovely afternoon with plenty of cake, sandwiches and tea, and everyone told a little about themselves.
Joseph, who is in his 93rd year, told us how he accidentally became an actor and entertained the group with tales from behind the stage.
"It is all coming back to me now", said Joseph, "I don't often talk to other people, so it is nice someone wants to hear my stories. I have had a wonderful afternoon and look forward to next time."
3/4/2009: MBE to Contact the Elderly volunteer
Group coordinator of St Albans 1, Doreen Egarr, received her MBE from Prince Charles on 27th March in recognition of many years voluntary work with various local and national charities, including Contact the Elderly.
Doreen has volunteered for Contact the Elderly since 1982 and was also awarded the Marsh Christian Award 2007 which is awarded to volunteers who go above and beyond the call of duty.
3/4/2009: 85th member joins the Friendship Fund
Two months after the launch of Contact the Elderly's Friendship Fund we are very happy to welcome the 85th member, Julie Keough.
Our groups thrive on busy people giving a little time, and together this time changes lives forever. We know our Friendship Fund will do the same by helping us supporting groups across the country.
To find out how to become a founder member of the Friendship Fund, please click here.
3/4/2009: Tales from the Home Office
Sarah Ingram
"At last, I have a volunteer who isn’t me! I was sitting chatting about Contact the Elderly with Janet Gardner (who looks after the welfare of our retired Partners) over coffee and scones in our Brasserie (it’s a hard life). Without batting an eyelid she said, ‘I’ll host a tea party for you, I’d love to do it’. I could have kissed her – in fact, I think I did kiss her. My first volunteer!"
Follow her journey on her blog: Tales from the Home Office
31/3/2009: Tea & Art
Group discussing art at launch party
New group launched together with Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow.
Seven older people, one helper, two drivers and two potential drivers all enjoyed the drive in the sunny weather to Scotland Street School Museum.
It was the first of many outings for the new group and the afternoon was full of a constant chatter and of course cups of tea.
Volunteers and members all had memories brought back to them in one way or another, and everyone really enjoyed talking about their school memories and sharing their own stories.
Tea and biscuits were enjoyed before and after the tour at the museum. Sitting around the table they all played with objects from past years at school, including a spinning jenny, a strap (used for punishment!) and some photos.
Everyone is already looking forward to next outing and to come back to the school museum.
29/3/2009: New group in Timperley
It was a full house when the new Timperley group met for the first time in the local church hall.
Coordinator Joan provided a fabulous spread and everyone had a fantastic afternon.
12/3/2009: Friendship Fund's 50th Member
Contact the Elderly's friends, volunteers and members have take our new Friendship Fund to their hearts, and in little under a week we are delighted to welcome our 50th founder member, Mrs G Hollander, a former volunteer host for many years, who is delighted to help us again. We're very grateful for the support of all our new members!
Our groups thrive on busy people giving a little time, and together this time changes lives forever. We know our Friendship Fund will do the same.
To find out how to become a founder member of the Friendship Fund, please click here.
9/3/2009: Contact the Elderly nominated Charity of the Week
Optimist World is a website where you will find daily good news, positive corporate activities, inspiring stories about charities amongst other good news.
Every week four charities goes head to haed in a contest to become Chairty of the Week and last week (27th Feb - 5th March) Contact the Elderly was one of the four charities.
After a slow start, numerous of people voted us into the lead, and we were pleased to hear we were nominated Charity of the Week.
8/3/2009: New group launched in Dunmow
Welcome to the members and volunteers of the Dunmow group who held their first tea on Sunday 8th March.
Members Phyl, Pam, Margaret, Charlie, John and Eric were joined by volunteers Pat, Sue, Barbara, Margaret, Harry and Hazel. Angie, who hosted this launch party, provided lots of lovely food with help from Sue. The home cooked sausage rolls were a real treat and some found their way into goody bags for the guests to take home at the end!
Host Angie and oldest member of the group, Charlie
Angie's daughter Amy also helped out in the kitchen and dazzled us all with her beautiful new engagement ring! Angie's husband Rob also chatted to the guests and helped to make everyone feel welcome.
Charlie, who is the oldest member of the group at 98, entertained everyone with a few tunes on his harmonica.
Linda Braeburn, Regional Development Officer for the East of England said "Pat, the group co-ordinator, has worked really hard to get a wonderful group of volunteers together from her local community. There was lots of chatting, some laughter and sharing of stories - the perfect recipe for a tea party."
24/2/2009: Cards designed by 10 designers for Contact the Elderly
Rob Ryan's card
12 beautifully designed cards are now available for purchase from our shop.
Designers including Rob Ryan, Jane Porter and Ella Doran took the challenge to each design a card based on the themes 'tea', 'friendship' and 'conversation' for Contact the Elderly.
The cards will help raise awareness and funds for the charity.
6/12/2008: Barry Manilow entertains Contact the Elderly volunteers
Saturday night JTI, one of our key supporters, entertained the Director and a group of volunteers to a marvellous evening in their corporate suite at the O2 for the Barry Manilow concert.
The volunteers and their guests were the lucky winners of a free raffle at the London Volunteer Thank you party held at the end of November.
Everybody had a terrific time enjoying the generous hospitality and entertainment as well as singing along with Barry to such classics as “I write the music that makes the whole world sing”, Mandy…. and of course Copacabana!
2/12/2008: Contact the Elderly volunteer wins Bank of America award.
We were delighted to see Sarah Reed (trustee and co-ordinator of Kensington 30) receive a well deserved ‘Local Hero’ award at a glittering ceremony at the Bank of America Headquarters in London. Sarah was one of five winners of the award, which celebrates the achievements of those who contribute significantly to the health of their neighbourhoods.
We are very grateful to the bank for recognising Sarah’s achievements and hope it will encourage more people to reach out to isolated, older people living in their communities.
Jonathan Moulds, Bank of America President
for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia
presents the Local Hero award to Sarah Reed
1/12/2008: Do you shop at Waitrose?
Supermarket giant Waitrose has announced it will give money to 7,000 local projects in the next 12 months through the ‘Community Matters Scheme’, and you could help Contact the Elderly to benefit.
Every month, each store will choose three local organisations to receive a share of £1,000. Customers will then get the chance to vote for their favourite, with the charities receiving a proportion of the money, according to the number of votes cast.
If you shop at Waitrose, please consider nominating us to become one of their monthly charities. Not only will it give us much needed funds, but it could also encourage many more volunteers and members to join in.
To find out more click here:
28/9/2008: Contact the Elderly in Sweden
In June we were contacted by Therese Karlsson from Stockholm in Sweden, who was interested in setting up a charity organising tea parties for older people in Sweden.
Three months later they launched the first group:
Greetings from Sweden!
We are happy to tell you we have launched our first group here in Stockholm on September 28th. Our host for the day Ann-Christine Lund invited us to her house in the outskirts of the city.
Guests and volunteers were served delicious sandwiches and plenty of tea and coffee. We had a beautiful sunny day and everyone enjoyed the lovely garden.
Our guests were very happy and pleased with the afternoon that passed all too quickly. We are all very excited about our group and look forward to the next tea party in October!
Therese Karlsson volunteer manager, ÄldreKontakt
ÄldreKontakt (www.aldrekontakt.se) is a newly registered Swedish charity that was inspired by Contact the Elderly’s concept with private social get-togethers. We work towards the same goal: to relieve loneliness and isolation among elderly. ÄldreKontakt was initiated by the Gyll family in Sweden through their family owned investment company “Segersta” (www.segersta.eu). The company supports ÄldreKontakt with funding, people and business knowledge.
