AN urgent appeal has gone out for people willing to help alleviate loneliness and isolation among older people.

The charity Contact the Elderly is solely dedicated to relieving the often acute loneliness of isolated older people.

And it is urgently appealing for volunteers living in Ryedale to spare just a few hours each month to drive one or two older people to a local tea party - and enjoy a cuppa and a cake themselves.

The charity helps those, aged 75 and above and who live alone, by organising free monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties for small groups within local communities – providing a regular and vital friendship link every month.

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.

Support officer Kath Lloyd said: “The charity is committed to offering a lifeline of friendship to the oldest and loneliest people.

“Anyone who can spare a couple of hours one Sunday a month, has a driving licence, a car, and a capacity for drinking tea, is eligible to volunteer. It’s not a big commitment, and our volunteers genuinely get as much out of the experience as our older guests.”

Those interested in volunteering should contact Kath on 01535-280002 or email kath.lloyd@contact-the-elderly.org.uk