A charity is urgently appealing for new volunteers to help isolated older people who live alone in Retford.
Contact the Elderly, a UK charity solely dedicated to tackling loneliness and isolation among older people, has been providing monthly social gatherings for the over 75s in Retford since 2013.
The Retford group currently meets on the fourth Sunday of every month but require additional volunteer drivers, to collect and accompany older guests to their event and hosts who can welcome a small group into their home for tea and cake once or twice a year.
For older people who live alone, Sundays can be particularly long and difficult. The monthly events make a real difference to the lives of an isolated older person, but we need volunteer drivers and hosts to come forward in the area. It would be a shame for this vital service to fold due to the shortage of volunteers.”
Volunteer drivers will need to have a valid driving licence with their own car and be available one Sunday a month. Anyone interested in hosting needs only a home with a downstairs toilet and enough space to accommodate a small group of guests and volunteers. Hosts generally host an event once or twice a year.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for Contact the Elderly, call 0800 716 543 (freephone) or email info@contact-the-elderly.org.uk.