Contact the Elderly (www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk)
is an organisation that does just that. I joined last year, thinking it might
be an outlet I might find beneficial.
Not long after submitting my
application I was visited by two people, the organiser for my area and a
driver. No, not the organiser’s personal chauffeur, it was a lady who would
become my dedicated driver on the third Sunday of every month when all the
members were taken to someone’s house and served with afternoon tea.
It sounded a bit formal but once I
got into the swing of things I realised how much these people are doing for us
oldies.
The organiser certainly knows how to
organise. Everything seems to run so smoothly, I guess she’s a whiz at sorting problems.
We go to a different house every time, the volunteers taking it in turns to
feed us. Oooh, you should see some of the food they serve. Dainty (crusts
removed) sandwiches with various fillings. After that comes the sausage rolls
or pies, celery sticks and tomatoes, and other items too numerous to mention.
And then little cakes and big cake appear … with creamy or chocolate fillings
and toppings to die for. And while all this is going on the male members of the
team keep us amused with stories of their families etc.
We have been on outings; last year I
was invited to a Christmas party organised by another charity organisation.
Can’t wait to see if more invitations come this year.
With us all being oldies it follows that
we lose one or two members, which is sad, but there always seems to be new
people joining.
A recent visit was to the home of a
young couple where tea was served in a conservatory with a wonderful view of
their garden. Somehow it didn’t matter
that it was pouring with rain outside. The display of food was mouth-watering
and the cake was divine … given the chance I would have eaten all of it.
I am on my second personal driver
now, not sure what happened to the first, but I’m pleased to be driven around
by my new one. On occasions she sends texts to check on me and has even invited
me to have lunch with her one day.
All in all, the experience is
fulfilling. I sometimes wish we could meet more often but then I realise that
to do so could kill the enthusiasm of both volunteer and guest. As it is we
have something to look forward to and that is worth a ton of gold.
This is such a marvelous idea Valerie. I wonder if we hav anything like this here. I will have to check.
ReplyDeleteNothing like that in my neck of the woods. I wish. My cousin in MN has a thing similar to that, through her church. Would be nice to have a real reason to get dressed up, besides going to the doctor.
ReplyDeleteOh, how WONDERFUL, Valerie!
ReplyDeleteYes, I remember you posting about this last year. So glad to hear that you're enjoying it so much! The "food" sounds incredible!
" All in all, the experience is fulfilling."
That's awesome!
Happy and delighted for you, my friend!
Enjoy the rest of your week!
X
What a great idea, sounds like you're really enjoying it. I don't know if we have anything similar here.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic idea that I wish I'd known about earlier as my mother really would have benefitted from that. She used to go to a church group that I took her to twice a month and although it was hard to get to go at the beginning, she loved it in the end. She could have done both, and would have given something else to look forward to.
ReplyDeleteHi Denise. I would imagine there is something similar where you live. I had never heard of it but when I checked it was established in the 1960's.
ReplyDeleteSharon, it helps the ego to get dressed up. Plus mixing with other people.
ReplyDeleteRon, the food is incredible and a complete change to what we normally eat at home. It's like going to a party once a month.
ReplyDeleteJanet, it would be worth checking if only to tell others about it.
ReplyDeleteJoey, I think it is a part of AGE.UK. They should broadcast it more. For sure I had never heard about it until one day I saw a leaflet in a shop.
ReplyDeleteI'd guess your post might also make some people feel encouraged to volunteer, Valerie. It sounds really rewarding for all concerned.
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect idea Valerie, I am so happy that it is working so well.
ReplyDeleteJenny, I do hope so. It is a countrywide organisation so there's a chance some might volunteer to be guest or otherwise.
ReplyDeleteThanks you, Jimmy. We all have a good time, volunteers and ageing guests.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a good program. My wife's friend over here has a similar one where they take her to places to shop for things and groceries.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great project. It certainly helps bridge the generation gap. I'm always for people to learn from each other's experiences. We have so much to offer one another. :-)
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
When I first read this post, Valerie, I missed that these outings were held monthly, but then saw a reference in one of the above comments. All-in-all this sounds like such a wonderful program both for the participants and the hosts because there appears to be such an exchange of conversation. And, I agree, that the food treats you described sounded wonderfully delicious.
ReplyDeleteHi Larry, that's even better, and certainly more useful. Hope you and your wife are keeping well.
ReplyDeleteCuban, you are so right, especially about bridging the generation gap.
ReplyDeleteBeatrice, Contact the Elderly is great, as you have worked out. If I didn't go for some reason I would miss those monthly chats and visits to some lovely homes.
ReplyDeleteValerie, it sounds like a brilliant idea. No-one becomes less interesting as they become older. Far from it.it sounds like a great day out. I hope you have many more days out and that more people get to see your blog. I haven't known you that long but look but look forward to seeing you as often as I can. It's fun. The way you write is something I enjoy reading too. I haven't thought about writing a book. You need to enjoy writing. That is something I don't do. I'll leave it to the experts like you.
ReplyDeleteOooh Treey, you are going the right way to make me feel big-headed. Thank you for your kind words. Don't underestimate yourself, you write well, but maybe a book would be too much.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful organization, Val. Glad to hear you are enjoying it so much. I wonder if they have something like that over here in the U.S. I think it would help out a lot of people. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad this group is still in existence and you are still a part of it.
ReplyDeleteMatt, I guess there is something similar in the States. Thing is, unless someone needs it they won't look for it... if you know what I mean.
ReplyDeletekden, I am glad I found it, or it found me - can't remember which way it was...lol.
ReplyDelete