If not Now, When?

Cliff Rich, London Executive Officer for Contact the Elderly, with Iris, an older guest

Contact the Elderly founder inspires national volunteer force to spread the word

Contact the Elderly held its AGM on Wednesday 5th October with over 100 volunteers, supporters and elderly guests attending.

Founder & Chairman, Trevor Lyttleton MBE, spoke about the tremendous achievements of the charity’s national volunteer force, with particular thanks given to those who were collecting special awards during the evening.

Trevor also addressed the tough economic climate and the urgent need to recruit further volunteers to compensate for the decline in local services for elderly people. His concluding message, left the audience inspired by the work of the charity and ready to respond to his call to action to go out and help recruit new volunteers and launch more new groups.

Gill James receives the Janet Atfield Award

“If I am not for myself, who will be for me.

But if I am only for myself, what am I?

And if not now, when? (Mishnah: Ethics of the Fathers, 1.14)

Director, Keith Arscott, also gave a speech about the charity’s objectives leading up to its 50-year-anniversary in 2015, as well as reflecting on the previous year’s achievements.

Emma Mason, Izzy Wise and Bill Crookston receive their Long-Service Awards from Founder and Chairman, Trevor Lyttleton, MBE, and President, Lady Jasmine

One of the highlights of the evening was the awards ceremony, with several volunteers presented with trophies, certificates and flowers to acknowledge all the hard work they have done for the charity.

President, Lady Jasmine Cavendish, presented Gill James with the Janet Atfield Award, which is given to an individual who has actively encouraged others to volunteer their time to Contact the Elderly.

Elizabeth Shaw, David Armour and Anne Sander receive their Long-Service Awards from Founder and Chairman, Trevor Lyttleton, MBE, and President, Lady Jasmine

Gill James was inspired to bring her friends and neighbours who live in the local community together to start up their own Contact the Elderly group. Wanstead Aldersbrook was launched in May early this year and is running very successfully, thanks to Gill’s dedication and commitment. Gill has been extremely proactive in building up the members of her group and has undertaken all the hard work herself, including: spreading the word among elderly people at the local library, her church congregation and at a local sheltered housing association.

The Marsh Christian Trust also presented the Marsh Awards to six volunteers across the UK, with Roy Rees Williams from London chosen as the overall national winner.

Founder and Chairman, Trevor Lyttleton, MBE, presents President, Lady Jasmine with her Long-Service Award

Long-Service Awards were also presented as follows:

5 years:  Bill Crookston, Sarah Reavley, Emma Mason, Izzy Wise

10 years: Kim Barnes

25 years: Margaret Riddell

40 years: Malcolm Field, Elizabeth Shaw, David Armour

45 years: Anne Sander

Volunteers Paula Tebbs and Jean Chippindale chat with Izzy Wise, volunteer and North London Development Officer

Trevor also presented President Lady Jasmine Cavendish with a Long-Service Award for 10 years of hosting.

Meanwhile, Anne Taylor, volunteer driver, was recognised and thanked for her live interview on ITV’s Daybreak couch back in August, which resulted in over 80 potential volunteers getting in touch with us.

The evening concluded with a drinks reception, with everyone able to catch up with new and old friends. A wonderful and inspiring evening was had by all.