Media
If you want to know more about Contact the Elderly, would like a comment about a particular issue or to speak to someone about writing an article for your publication then please contact:
Kellie Smith, Communications Manager
| Tel | 020 7420 5814 |
| kellie.smith@contact-the-elderly.org.uk |
Isabel Inman, Communications Officer
| Tel | 020 7240 0630 |
| isabel.inman@contact-the-elderly.org.uk |
or by filling in our contact form
Information about Contact the Elderly for the media
Contact the Elderly in the news
- Is modern life making us lonely? April 8, 2013
BBC journalist Vanessa Barford talks to Contact the Elderly volunteer Jean Malcolm as part of a wider feature on loneliness.
Jean says: “Sunday can be a very lonely day. Quite a few people don’t have family, so the tea parties make them feel like someone is interested in them. It also gives them an opportunity to put their good clothes on.”
To read the full article, please click here.
- More than half of elderly over 75 now live alone March 8, 2013
One of our guests Maud, supported by Contact the Elderly Director Keith Arscott, was interviewed yesterday by ITV News’ Social Affairs Editor, Penny Marshall.
Penny was putting together a piece commenting on research from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) about the number of people living alone and the repercussions this has on health and wellbeing.
The ONS states that the proportion of adults living alone almost doubled between 1973 and 1998.
At Contact the Elderly we know that living alone for some is a lifestyle choice and about wishing to remain independent, whereas for other people, it is forced upon them by, for example, the death of a partner. Therefore loneliness and isolation is something many older people endure on a daily basis.
Maud spoke eloquently about the loneliness she experienced when her lifelong friend Margie passed away several years ago and the difference the tea parties have made to her life.
For more information and to view some of the footage, please click here.
- Tough time for elderly people January 28, 2013
The West Sussex Gazette features a letter to editor from Contact the Elderly’s Surrey & Sussex Development Officer, Julia Rivas, encouraging Horsham residents to make a positive difference in January – and beyond – by volunteering to help their lonely older neighbours.
To read the letter to editor, please click here.
- Britain’s loneliness epidemic January 22, 2013
“People in Britain are living longer, and increasingly, spending their last years alone. Now more of us than ever before describe ourselves as lonely,” says the Guardian.
Writer Homa Khaleeli finds out how to beat the loneliness epidemic and mentions several charities, including Contact the Elderly, which can help. To read the full article, please click here.
- Contact the Elderly features in Running Free magazine January 1, 2013
“Have you got a place in the London Marathon but haven’t decided which charity to run for yet? If so, you might want to think of the elderly this winter,” says Running Free.
The publication aimed at runners is encouraging people with ballot places in this year’s London Marathon to fundraise for Contact the Elderly. To read the full article, please click here.
- Everyone’s welcome at my house for a feast December 17, 2012
Contact the Elderly volunteer Bridget Kelly from Leeds talks to Woman’s Own magazine about having older guests from her group round for Christmas dinner each year.
Bridget says: “They’re all treated like family and I usually buy each of them a small gift. I hope by opening my door to the elderly, I’m bringing a bit of cheer to some very special people who deserve it most.”
To read the full article, please click here.
- Sixty recognised in the Queen’s volunteering awards December 13, 2012
Civil Society covers the announcement from the Cabinet Office and Buckingham Palace that Contact the Elderly is among the 60 winners of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award 2012.
The Award recognises voluntary groups which have made a contribution throughout Her Majesty’s sixty-year-reign, alongside newer organisations that engaged volunteers specifically to support the Olympic and Paralymic Games.
To read the article, please click here.
- One good deed – Wheely make the difference November 19, 2012
Tesco Magazine has featured Contact the Elderly in its Christmas feature, encouraging readers to volunteer and ‘wheely make the difference’ to the lives of older people in local communities.
To read the full article, please click here.
- Can you volunteer to help an older person? November 6, 2012
The Mid Sussex Times features Contact the Elderly’s latest appeal for volunteers following the clocks going back at the end of October.
Contact the Elderly’s Surrey and Sussex development officer, Julia Rivas, said: “Many people can related to feeling a bit flat once summer is over, but for very elderly people the shorter days and worse weather can mean they become even more isolated, which can impact on their general wellbeing and health.”
To read the full article, please click here.
- Charity’s urgent appeal for Retford volunteers October 30, 2012
The Retford Trader & Guardian appealed for volunteers to come forward to help set up a new Contact the Elderly group in the Nottinghamshire town.
Retford volunteer group coordinator Susan Collins, who is helping to set up the new group, said: “It would be lovely to get this new group up and running in Retford, so that we can provide some happiness and outings for people who may well otherwise be on their own much of the time. Also, the volunteers will have the chance to make friends and enjoy themselves too.”
To read the full article, please click here.
- Keep legacy of Games going September 24, 2012
The Evening Chronicle in Newcastle has featured a letter to editor from our North East Development Officer, Sheila Ryder, encouraging members of the public to ensure the volunteering legacy of the Olympic and Paralympic Games lives on.
To read the full article, please click here.
- Croydon teens arrange tea party for the elderly September 19, 2012
A group of teenagers from Croydon organised and hosted a tea party for our older guests from the local borough on Sunday 9 September. Contact the Elderly has been working with young people from The Challenge Network, (supported by The National Citizen Service), which brings young people together from diverse backgrounds to take part in local community activities. The Croydon Guardian covered the story.
To read the full article, please click here.
- Sharing an interesting tale or two September 17, 2012
“Meet some of the characters who attend the events organised by our charity partner, Contact the Elderly”, says The People’s Friend.
The woman’s weekly magazine has featured the interesting lives of two Contact the Elderly guests, Nancy from South London and Norma from East Scotland, who sadly passed away earlier this year.
To read the full article, please click here.
- Charity in your will September 17, 2012
As Remember A Charity Week launches, the Telegraph Online features a letter to editor, signed by celebrity supporters, including Laura Carmichael (who plays Lady Edith in Downton Abbey) on behalf of Contact the Elderly. The letter encourages members of the public to leave room for charities in their Wills.
To read the letter to editor, please click here.
- Trevor Lyttleton has made his mark across a wide spectrum of genres and society September 7, 2012
David Saffer from the Jewish Telegraph speaks to Contact the Elderly’s Founder & Chairman, Trevor Lyttleton MBE, about juggling law, music and charity work.
To read the full article, please click here and then click on the Profile section on the right-hand-side of the page.
- Mission possible: bringing the younger and older generations together August 29, 2012
“Grassroots groups of young people are popping up to befriend older people. Is a cultural shift taking place?” asks the Guardian.
Volunteer host Bobby Brooks, who started volunteering for Contact the Elderly in 2011, talks about why he enjoys volunteering for the charity and making a difference to the lives of isolated older people.
Bobby says he wants to protect his older friends from the isolation he likens to a “form of torture for prisoners of war” but he deeply values their conversations too. “Older people have such great stories to tell and so much life experience to pass on. They’re just so funny,” he says.
To read the full article, please click here.
- OAPs living alone can increase risk of death by 10% July 10, 2012
“Loneliness is one of the ‘hidden killers’ of elderly people. A study published last week revealed it can increase the risk of death by almost 10%,” according to The Sunday Post.
The newspaper speaks to a Contact the Elderly volunteer, 86-year-old Nan, who is helping other people her age to overcome loneliness.
- Sidcup Fire Station holds open day for the elderly June 20, 2012
The Bexley Times reports on the Contact the Elderly tea party at Sidcup Fire Station, which was held on Sunday 10th June.
To read the full article, please click here.
- Contact the Elderly vintage tea parties June 13, 2012
Laura Carmichael who plays Lady Edith in the popular period drama Downton Abbey has backed a new campaign to urge people to host vintage tea parties in support of the national charity Contact the Elderly.
Redonline has featured Contact the Elderly’s The Perfect Vintage Tea in its food news section. Please click here to read the full article.
- David Cameron holds Downing Street Jubilee party June 3, 2012
Contact the Elderly older guests and volunteers from Westminster joined David and Samantha Cameron for a Jubilee party at Downing Street. The Independent covered the event. You can read the full article here.
- A British cuppa makes a historic link between our two jubilees June 1, 2012
The Jewish Chronicle tells the story of David Lubelski, the great-grandfather of Founder & Chairman Trevor Lyttleton MBE, who received a magnificent silver tea service, just days after Queen Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 1897.
With Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations taking place this coming weekend, Trevor will be attending the Downing Street reception on Sunday with Contact the Elderly, which, of course, uses a teapot as its emblem.
- Isolated elderly feel ‘trapped’ in their own homes May 16, 2012
The Fresh Outlook interviews Contact the Elderly and Friends of the Elderly for a feature on loneliness among older people.
- My lifeline for the lonely March 2, 2012
Daily Mail journalist Esther Rantzen tells readers how her telephone befriending service, The Silver Line, will signpost lonely older people to organisations such as Contact the Elderly. Older guest Maud was interviewed by Esther as part of the article.
Esther wrote: “The Silver Line’s job will be to make sure the Mauds who ring us will be told of organisations such as Contact the Elderly.”
- Getting on but not giving up January 14, 2012
“As regular readers know, people of all ages write to this column — and the youngest reader’s letter I have ever printed came from a nine-year-old. Still, it’s true to say that many letters come from older people, and the saddest ones are very lonely. That’s why I’m glad a reader called Stella has written to let me know about the work of a quietly brilliant organisation called Contact The Elderly,” says Bel Mooney in her regular column for the Daily Mail.
Contact the Elderly was featured in The Mail on Saturday over the weekend. Read the article online here
- Primp yourself January 1, 2012
“From dog-grooming courses to night riding and learning Gothic hip hop, 2012 could be your year to shine,” says The Observer Magazine. The Sunday publication features Contact the Elderly in its New Year, New You article
- Do some good this Christmas December 24, 2011
Glamour magazine tells readers the best ways to make a difference, no matter how much time they have, including volunteering for Contact the Elderly.
- The night we met December 24, 2011
A Contact the Elderly volunteer and a guest tell The People’s Friend how they found love through the charity.
- The thought of elderly people spending the day alone is awful December 24, 2011
TOWIE star Lauren Goodger backs The Sun’s campaign Care for the Elderly This Christmas and meets with one of our older guests, Margie
- Mayor of London supports London’s isolated and older residents December 15, 2011
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, today called on Londoners to volunteer their time through his Team London programme to help vulnerable, lonely neighbours, as he joined a Contact the Elderly tea party supporting isolated older people in the capital. Please click here to read the full press release.
- Celebrities in the news December 6, 2011
Our advent calendar got off to a good start with a mention in Third Sector. So far almost 2,000 people have viewed the calendar and listened to the festive memories of our older guests. You can join the Christmas countdown here.
- Tales of comfort and joy December 1, 2011
“It’s rewarding to think that I’m helping others feel less lonely”, says volunteer group coordinator Jane Geering to Good Housekeeping journalist for their ‘Tales of comfort and joy’ feature.
- Give back at Christmas December 1, 2011
Izzy Wise chats to Woman & Home about volunteering for Contact the Elderly for the magazines ‘Giving back at Christmas’ feature.
- Give a little bit October 1, 2011
Volunteers Calypso Rose and Julia Saunders spoke to Company Magazine about volunteering for Contact the Elderly
- Time for tea October 1, 2011
Glamis Castle was the venue for the launch of the Angus 3 – Forfar group which was set up after the People’s Friend kindly donated the Love Darg Fund to Contact the Elderly.
- Warm welcome, laughter and chat can overcome loneliness July 26, 2011
Yorkshire Post journalist, Sheena Hastings, came along to a tea party in York to see how Contact the Elderly’s tea parties make a difference in the lives of older people.
- We should all help the elderly July 6, 2011
Contact the Elderly director, Keith Arscott, sent a letter to the Evening Standard editor in response to the debate over the Dilnot Commission report.
