Plus news about the impact of our online activity groups
Dear Friend,
As government restrictions ease, Re-engage tea party hosts, drivers and coordinators are busy getting ready for their first tea parties. This is the start of a new chapter for all of us. We've looked forward to it for many months, but hope everyone will proceed at the pace that's right for them and remember we all share responsibility for keeping each other safe. Please do take a minute to read our charity statement via the link below.
Throughout lockdown we have been running online activity groups for older people in Wales as part of a project funded by the Welsh government. You can read more below about the positive impact activity has on the health and wellbeing of older people.
Whilst we gear up to holding our tea party groups again, call companions carries on going from strength to strength. Below you can read about how Bernie and Naomi are enjoying their regular calls.
Thank you for your ongoing support and we hope you enjoy the read.
'Re-starting tea parties'
The opportunity to catch up with familiar faces over a cup of tea is a special occasion that, under normal circumstances, our tea party guests look forward to every month. As our tea parties slowly re-start across the UK, we have taken great care to ensure that they only re-start when our volunteers
and older people are ready.
Above all, our tea party guests must feel comfortable and safe.
We've been running online activity groups for older people in Wales during lockdown and we wanted to find out what those who've joined us thought. Attendees of groups during April and May, when Wales was in full lockdown, completed surveys for us. We also conducted several interviews to gather more detailed feedback. This is what we found out.
Naomi was matched with Bernie in August 2020 and they have been speaking to each other every week for almost a year now. Together they have found that their friendship is a two-way street.
Throughout lockdown, every three months, volunteers from the Thurrock tea party group have delivered tea treats to their guests, as a reminder that they have been thinking of them during these difficult times.
Our friends at Carolina Bucci have created the Re-engage Lucky Bracelet featuring a paper plane charm which symbolises hope and reaching out to others. The Carolina Bucci team have been incredibly supportive of our mission to end loneliness amongst older people. They are donating over 25% from the sale of each bracelet.
