For Enfield and Southgate coordinator Steph Hutchings tea parties don’t come just once a month. Her group have become so close that last year they got together 29 times. 

“We don’t really see it as a group of people meeting up - we are friends and family,” said Steph, 60, who has volunteered with Re-engage for eight years. “We celebrate birthdays, go to the panto, have Christmas together. Everyone gets on and it’s just such a lovely group.” 

Steph, who is married to secondary school head of year, Kevin Spackman – who is also a driver - joined the charity after seeing a television advert promoting Re-engage. 

“I couldn’t imagine life without the tea parties, I just love them,” she said. “We are so close. Everyone looks out for each other, and we have our own WhatsApp group which means we can communicate every day, share happy experiences, and our guests can ask for help or advice at any time. We have a special Christmas party for everyone including some of our hosts and then on Christmas Day it’s open house for anyone who wants to join me and Kevin. Usually five or six guests come along, and we have a great time. 

“We even have a regular tea party in the community room in the retirement housing where two of our guests live, and our drivers and guests provide their food. We also invite some of the other elderly residents to join us. 

“On Mother’s Day I take them out for a special tea because not everyone has family, so it can be a bit of a difficult time. This year we went to Forty Hall in Enfield which has a beautiful house and gardens. Our volunteers are really very special people and make every outing a great experience.” 

Steph joined the group in July 2017 and three months later took over running it after the then coordinator left. The following year volunteers and guests – including original members, Barbara Southerland, 99 and Marcia Mynett, 83 – were invited to talk about the  benefits of Re-engage tea parties on Vanessa Feltz’s BBC Radio London programme. 

The group also took advantage of free tickets supplied to Re-engage for a guided tour of the British Museum and a performance of Swan Lake at the Royal Opera House. 

The north London group has six drivers, 10 hosts and eight guests, one of whom was recruited at a local volunteer festival. Steph, who is a qualified first aid trainer, and fellow volunteer Cameron Brown, a qualified psychotherapist, also find that their backgrounds lend themselves to supporting both older guests and volunteers. 

She added: "We all love being involved and being part of a big family. I’m truly grateful to Re-engage for bringing these lovely people into my life.”