Join a tea party group near you

Dear Friend,

Eighteen months after we had to suspend our tea parties, we have finally been able to re-open applications to join our tea party groups across the UK. These social occasions can be a lifeline for our older guests, providing them with a sense of community and connection to others that is often missing in their lives. If you, or someone you know, would like to join a tea party group in your area, you can find out more below.

Whilst many of our tea party groups are hosting their first tea parties in many months, others need additional coordinators, drivers or hosts before they can put the kettle on again. If you want to join us in our fight to combat loneliness and isolation amongst those over 75, you can find out how to get involved below.

Rachel and Wendy belong to the Bristol NW3 tea party group. Group coordinator Wendy hosted her first tea party in March 2012 and the group's monthly tea parties bring companionship and comfort to 95-year-old Rachel. Below you can read about how the group have looked out for one another since the start of the pandemic and will continue to do so in the future.

Reading the words of an older person who receives a weekly call from one of our call companions is a good reminder of the importance of social connection - "It's fine if you've got family nearby, but I've got no one. It can feel endless. I clean the house to keep busy; try to find something to do, but I just go days on end without seeing anyone." A recent poll of 1,000 people aged 65 and over revealed that 30 per cent have lost confidence in their ability to make friends and have no idea where to start. For us at Re-engage, it's critical that we ensure that older people do not slip through the gaps and that no one feels that they are too old to make friends.

And finally, our traditional tea parties and new call companions service are now being augmented by activity groups, originally launched in Wales in 2020. You can see more about that via the ITV news report that featured our work in Newport.

I hope you enjoy the read.

Stay safe and well.

With best wishes from Meryl and the team at Re-engage

'Join a tea party group near you'
Our tea parties are free monthly social groups open to people aged 75 and over. Volunteer drivers collect our guests from home and take them to their local tea party where they have a chance for a change of scenery and conversation and laughter with friends of all ages. Visit our website to find out how you can refer an older person or join a tea party group near you.

'We need tea party volunteers'

Could you join us in our fight to combat loneliness amongst those over 75? Our tea parties are sometimes the only thing our older guests have to look forward to every month. As one of our guests told us 'The tea parties were the extent of my social life'.
Our tea parties are now re-starting across the UK and many of our tea party groups are urgently looking for volunteer coordinators, drivers or hosts. Visit our website to find out more about how you can help.

Become a tea party volunteer

'A welcome return to tea parties'

Rachel lost her husband 34 years ago. She says she is incredibly lucky to have a daughter, three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, but can still feel lonely. The 95-year-old said: “Loneliness isn’t something you notice when you’re young, I certainly didn’t. But then it creeps up on you and suddenly you realise so many people have gone. But these tea-parties lift that burden, and you get a chance to make new friends and feel connected.”

'Bakery chain support Re-engage at Christmas'

Danish bakery chain Ole & Steen are partnering with Re-engage this Christmas with a special edition of their best-selling cinnamon Social. The Social, named so as it brings people together, is a traditional Danish pastry made for sharing. The Christmas Social consists of a sweet dough braided with orange jam and topped with chocolate icing, pieces and golden hazelnuts. For each Christmas Social Slice sold between 2^nd November and 3^rd January, Ole & Steen will donate 30p to Re-engage.The vital funds raised will support older people in communities local to Ole & Steen bakeries in London and Oxford, where Ole & Steen has presence.

'Poll finds older people would like to make friends but have no idea where to start'
A survey of 1,000 people aged 65 and over revealed 30 per cent think they have lost the art of small talk as they have got older. Almost half said that they didn't spend enough time socialising whilst a third said that they had experienced loneliness.

'Horley Lions Club raise much needed funds'
This month the Horley Lions Club CIO, which serves the local communities of Horley, Reigate, Redhill and the surrounding villages has chosen Re-engage as their charity for the remainder of this year and into 2022. As part of the partnership, The Horley Lions Club will also be raising funds for Re-engage this year from their Father Christmas street collection, as well as from numerous events they hope to hold next year such as their popular Skittles week. Our CEO Meryl Davies said 'By working with the Lions we hope to work with communities to help us reach the most isolated people in our society. Thank you to Horley Lions for helping us to raise vital funds and work towards creating a more connected society, where no-one has to suffer social isolation in silence.”

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