Small groups of older people and volunteers get together for social events within their community. We call the older people who join our guests. The same group meets each month so guests and volunteers find themselves making long term friendships. Everyone looks forward to seeing each other and catching up.  

Our main social activity is our tea party groups called Contact Teas.  Once a month, normally on a Sunday afternoon, each older guest is collected from their home by a volunteer driver, and taken to a volunteer host’s home, where they join the rest of the group for tea, cake and  companionship. Our tea party groups usually meet on Sunday afternoons because we know this can be a lonely time of the week if you live alone. We have volunteers who host most of the events in their houses, providing a warm, welcoming environment. We sometimes meet in other venues, too, like community halls, hotels, museums and even the odd fire station! 

We are beginning to offer alternative options for group activities, the first of which is Reading Friends which we are currently developing in selected locations in South West England and Scotland.

All our older guests are collected from their home by a volunteer driver, who accompanies them to the event and makes sure they get home safely at the end. With your safety in mind, all of our drivers are DBS checked and we all ensure drivers and volunteers are fully vetted. Before you come out with your group for the first time, you will be introduced to your driver who will call you beforehand to let you know what time to expect them.

Where possible we arrange for the same driver to come each month so that you get to know them well.

Our gatherings are open to people aged 75 or over who live alone to get together with volunteers of all ages (over 18). We have more than 800 groups across the UK. Use our map to see if we’re in your area.  

If you don’t meet the criteria as a guest but you’d like to get involved, we have lots of volunteering opportunities for people of all ages – our volunteers enjoy our events as much as our guests.

You’ll be warmly welcomed by your event host, who will probably be a different person each month, and invited in for conversation and a cuppa with the rest of the group. Find out more about what it’s like to attend an event. 

Our hosts will provide some light refreshments for you all to enjoy. Our events last for a couple of hours and at the end, you’ll be driven home by your volunteer driver.  

If you know someone who you think would benefit from joining one of our groups, we’d love to hear from you. Anyone can refer an older person to us – whether you’re a friend, relative, neighbour, GP, social care professional or charity. Please see our referrers information to find out more.    

Alternatively, you can download a guest application form and give it to the older person to fill in themselves. Or you could pass on our freephone telephone number 0800 716543. If you don’t know the older person well but you want to let them know about us, you could download our guest leaflet and pop it through their letterbox. To request a hard copy of the leaflet, contact us and we’ll put one in the post to you.  

We hope you will enjoy going out with your group, but if you decide it’s not for you or you have any other concerns please speak to your Group Coordinator. If you prefer to contact us directly, our details can be found here. 

If all of the groups in your area are currently full or there isn’t a group in your area right now, we will place your details on our waiting list and you will be notified when a place becomes available for you.

Your Group Coordinator or the driver allocated to you will keep you informed.

No, our group activities are free of charge for our older guests.

Our hosts and other venues will all be accessible with a downstairs toilet and not more than a few steps up to the property. However volunteers who host in their own home are unlikely to have adaptions such as handrails and toilet facilities for people with disabilities. For this reason we are unable to accept applications from people who are reliant on a wheelchair for their mobility.

We are beginning to offer different kinds of groups in selected locations. Information about these will be provided on this website. Please only apply to join one of these groups if you live in the specified location.

No, but we may be able to signpost you to other social activities or practical help services in your area. Please ask your Group Coordinator to contact us if you would like some advice about local services.