Why introduce someone to us?
We run services to tackle isolation and loneliness for people aged 75 and older who are lonely, isolated or in need of companionship. All of our activities are free and include:
Social tea party groups
Our tea parties are monthly social groups run across the UK. They are a chance for a change of scenery and regular afternoons of conversation and laughter with friends.
Telephone befriending through call companions
Our call companion volunteers make regular telephone calls to older people providing a lifeline of friendship. The regular chat and companionship offers a vital link with the outside world.
LGBT+ telephone befriending through rainbow call companions
Rainbow call companions is our award-winning telephone befriending service specifically for LGBT+ older people – a particularly marginalised group.
Find out more about our rainbow call companion service.
Activity groups
Our online and face-to-face activity groups are held throughout Bristol and the South West, Greater Manchester, London, the Scottish Borders, Wales, West Midlands and West Yorkshire. Delivered by Re-engage volunteers, they help older people stay active and meet new people.
Who can refer
Anyone can introduce an older person to us, including family, friends, social and health care professionals, day centres, churches and other charities. We welcome referrals from NHS link workers.
How do tea parties work?
1. Once a month, on a Sunday
A group of about 10-15 people will gather at a volunteer hosts's home.
2. Volunteer drivers
Collect our older guests from their home and take them to their tea party.
3. Guests share tea, cake, companionship
And a change of scene for an afternoon.
4. Time to go
Our volunteer drivers take older guests safely back home and enjoy a bit of one to one company on the drive home before the next tea party.
How does call companions and rainbow call companions work?
Our call companions and rainbow call companions idea is very simple:
- A volunteer call companion regularly calls the same older person for an informal chat – for rainbow call companions both the volunteer and the older person will be part of the LGBT+ community
- They talk on the phone two to four times a month at a mutually agreed time
- Calls will last for around 30 minutes.
How do activity groups work?
1. Accessible and local
Online and face to face activities available in community venues.
2. Volunteer drivers
Collect our older guests from their homes and take them to the face to face activity group.
3. Guests take part in gentle exercise
And have the opportunity to develop new friendships by sharing a cup of tea afterwards.
4. Time to go
Volunteer drivers take older guests safely back home and enjoy one to one company on the drive home.
FAQs for referrers
How we work with older people
Suitability and referrals
Krissy,
Nurse, NHS ScotlandAs a Mental Health Staff Nurse, I see at close quarters the detrimental effect loneliness and isolation can have. I started to refer patients in the hope that it would help alleviate that loneliness. I can now truly say that attending the groups can make a huge difference.