VOLUNTEERS are needed to open up their homes on Sunday afternoons to small groups of older people for get-togethers and social activities.

The project, by national charity Re-engage, is aimed at helping people aged over 75 who are lonely or socially isolated to regain the friendship networks and social circles which can be lost in later life.

One Sunday every month, older people are collected from their homes and taken to tea parties held by volunteer hosts, enjoying an afternoon of activities, fun and friendship on days they may normally have spent alone.

Across the UK over 1.4 million older people suffer from loneliness; becoming isolated at a time in life when their social circle is often diminishing. Re-engage, originally under the name Contact the Elderly, is combatting isolation and loneliness so that older people can enjoy an active social life and friendship networks.

Older people are referred to the charity by organisations such as Age UK and the Methodist Association or by community nurses and charity befrienders.

Re-engage development officer in Yorkshire Deb Meynell is seeking volunteer drivers, hosts and older people to join two new social groups being set up in Bradford and Shipley. “There are various reasons why older people become isolated; maybe they’re recently bereaved or they’re losing confidence to get out by themselves. Meeting up with other people can make a big difference, and all we require is for volunteers to open up their home for two hours on a Sunday afternoon,” said Deb. “We’re looking for volunteers of all ages - some hosts are in their 80s and people as young as 16-18 can do it too, as long as their parents are okay with it. We’d also like families with children to get involved, as inter-generational relationships are important.

“Each volunteer driver is matched with one or two older people who live nearby, and once a month on a Sunday afternoon they drive them to a volunteer host’s home, then take them home afterwards. It’s a door-to-door service. Volunteer hosts provide a welcoming environment for a couple of hours, from 2-4pm or 3-5pm, with simple light refreshments of tea, sandwiches and cake. It’s a chance for small groups of six to eight people to meet up for a chat, listen to music or watch a film.

“Depending on the number of volunteers, each host may only have to do it once a year. A group co-ordinator will organise a rota for drivers, hosts and guests, with the idea being that each older person is collected by the same driver where possible to foster a bond between them.”

Added Deb: “We do require a downstairs toilet. If it’s a problem to host a get-together in their home, volunteers can source a venue such as a church hall. We’d also like garden centres, pubs and B&Bs to get involved.”

Re-engage has 800 groups in the run, run by 12,000 volunteers. Other groups in the district include Ilkley, Keighley and Skipton. “They are going from strength to strength. The idea is to get new groups started in Bradford and Shipley and for them to become self-sustainable,” said Deb.

* For more information about volunteering or if you know an older person who would benefit from the monthly gatherings, email Deb Meynell on deb.meynell@reengage.org.uk or ring her on 07591290571. Visit reengage.org.uk or call free phone 0800 716543.