Help to tackle loneliness and social isolation among older people.
Tea parties provide a lifeline of friendship for our older people, and the regular, warm, friendly chats and companionship provide a vital link with the outside world from which they have become isolated. Re-engage needs enthusiastic volunteers to work as tea party hosts.
This is a flexible, voluntary role that can easily be fitted in around your own lifestyle and availability. As a volunteer host you will run a local Re-engage tea party one to two times a year. You will host a group of four to 12 people (which includes drivers, the group coordinator as well as older guests) in either your home or a community venue. The tea parties will last around two hours and will usually take place on a Sunday afternoon. You must be comfortable socialising with people and providing guests and other volunteers with refreshments.
You will need one reference and to complete an ID check for this role.
Tasks include:
Welcoming a group of older guests and volunteer drivers into your home or to the community venue.
Providing and serving refreshments for your group – usually food and drinks for afternoon tea.
Liaising with your group coordinator to ensure dietary requirements and the older guests' needs are met prior to the tea party.
Informing the group coordinator of any safeguarding concerns or issues you might have.
Following all guidance in your host training modules to ensure that the tea parties are enjoyable, appropriate, and in line with our charitable aims.
We are looking for hosts with the following skills and attributes:
Organised
Good conversational skills
An enthusiasm for making genuine connections with older people in your community
A friendly, patient, and empathetic approach
Passion for entertaining, providing food and refreshments
Basic understanding of food hygiene
Basic computer literacy (including the ability to use email)
Your home, once or twice a year.
As one of our valued volunteers, you’ll receive training from Re-engage, and support and regular communications from your group coordinator.
This is a fun and rewarding role which will enable you to connect with lonely older people and make a real and lasting difference to their lives.
