A CHARITY dedicated to tackling loneliness and isolation among older York people has issued an urgent appeal for volunteers.

Contact the Elderly is looking for more people willing to spare a few hours each month to drive one or two older people to a local tea party and also enjoy a cuppa and a cake themselves.

A spokeswoman said the charity aimed to relieve the acute loneliness of isolated people aged 75 and above, who lived alone, by organising free monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties for small groups within local communities, providing a regular and vital friendship link.

“Each older guest is collected from their home by a volunteer driver, and taken to a host’s home, where they join a small group for tea, chat and companionship,” she said.

“However, the popular group in York is currently at risk of closure due to a lack of volunteers.”

Anyone interested in volunteering should contact executive officer Mary Robinson on 01535 632592 or email mary.robinson@contact-the-elderly.org.uk.