A CHARITY that offers tea, cake and company to the elderly has appealed for more volunteers to open up their homes.

Contact the Elderly has 12 tea party groups in Glasgow supporting more than 60 people aged over 75 who live alone.

A volunteer host welcomes a group of between six and eight guests and volunteers into their home once or twice a year for afternoon tea.

The charity has a waiting list of more than 60 older people keen to get out the house and spend time in the company of friends for a couple of hours once a month.

Caroline McGinlay, Support Officer at Contact the Elderly, said: “We have a lot of work to do and remain committed to setting up new groups to manage our waiting list and reaching out to more older people we know would benefit from a nice bit of baking and a blether.

“The tea parties are great fun for everyone involved – volunteers and guests. If you are thinking about a New Year’s Resolution that is easy to keep and great fun as well, then please consider volunteering with Contact the Elderly.”

Volunteer hosts should have an accessible home, with only a few steps to enter, and a downstairs toilet. Guests and volunteers enjoy an afternoon tea together one Sunday afternoon a month, with volunteer drivers collecting guests and returning them safely home.

To find out more about volunteering contact Caroline on 0141 812 1555 or caroline.mcginlay@contact-the-elderly.org.uk.