Nupur Aggaral is a tea party volunteer with the Sutton group in south London. She's been volunteering with us for nearly a decade, and loves to bring people together at tea parties for conversation and companionship. She said: “I absolutely love them. I really want to host them all the time but I know others have to have a chance. When I’m doing them it gives me a feeling of being close to my family in India. But the thing I enjoy most is seeing all the older people and their smiling faces. It makes me so happy. They are always positive and tell us so much about their life experiences. It really is a joy.”

In December 2024, Nupur’s mum, Alka, visited her family in England, and got involved in hosting a tea party by making a rice pudding dessert for guests to enjoy.

“They absolutely loved it,” said Nupur. “They had three helpings each! My mum was so pleased, and after she returned to India, the guests kept asking how she was doing, which really touched her. It just shows that we are connecting with each other and that is the important point.

“I always get very excited when I talk about the tea parties and always keep mum informed about how they are doing. After my family and friends, they are the most important things for me. I couldn’t imagine life without them.”

Nupur is often helped by her friend, Garima, who makes tea and coffee, her husband Gaurav who loves to chat to the guests and her sister, Supriya, who often puts in an appearance. 

Nupur enjoys cooking Indian food for the older people: “I give them pakoras and special cakes and they love them,” she said.

“Mum has said she will come back soon and I’m sure there will be tea party treats again.”