Sutton tea parties are often a family affair for coordinator Shivam Patel, as his mum, sister, and fiancée join in.

Shivam, 37, who started as a driver in 2011 and began organising the tea parties three years later, has spent much of his life caring for others.

While at school he supported children with autism, and later at Cambridge University, where he was awarded a degree in Economics, he made regular visits to older people. Shivam has continued the caring theme by running the Sutton tea parties for the last 10 years.

“It’s one of my favourite things,” he said. “I always enjoy encouraging people to join in. I didn’t know my grandparents, so I want to get involved with helping older people. It feels it’s a part of my life.”

When Shivam hosts at his home in south west London, his mum, Hasumati, makes chai and traditional Indian sweets for guests to enjoy. Shivam’s sister, Jigisha and fiancée, Jaimini, also help.

Hasumati, who lives with Shivam, added: “We like to look after the older people.”

Chandrakant, 92, is one of the six regular tea party guests. He explained: “I always look forward to going along..it’s so nice to get out of the house, which is rare for me.

“I enjoy meeting and chatting to everyone at the tea parties because I don’t get many visitors, so it’s good to socialise.”