A CHARITY which offers tea, cake and friendship to older people in Peebles is appealing for more volunteers and guests to boost the newly-launched group.

Contact the Elderly’s Peebles group enjoyed its first tea party a few weeks ago.

Several guests as well as volunteers enjoyed the afternoon getting to know each other.

But the group now needs more volunteer drivers and would also like to welcome more older people who live alone and at risk of becoming isolated to get involved in the lively afternoons of drinking tea, eating cake and enjoying a good chat.

Jennifer Kaney, development officer at Contact the Elderly, told the Peeblesshire News: "It has been heartening to hear how much this new group already means to its guests and volunteers.

"A couple of hours once a month is such a small amount of time but the difference it makes for older people who can go days without seeing another soul is immeasurable.

"We would like to encourage anyone who feels they can spare a little time to consider joining this group as a volunteer driver.

"We would also love to hear from older people who think they would enjoy a nice get-together with other Peebles people once a month."

Drivers collect one or two guests on one Sunday afternoon a month, accompanying them to an afternoon tea in a volunteer host’s home before taking them home.

Contact the Elderly currently has over 600 groups throughout England, Scotland and Wales, providing a regular, consistent and vital friendship link every month to over 4,800 older people

As well as a group in Peebles, Contact the Elderly also runs its free Sunday afternoon tea parties in Melrose and Kelso.

It is also hoping to bring a group to Hawick and would like to gauge interest from potential guests and volunteers in the town.

To find out more about becoming a guest or volunteer of Contact the Elderly in the Borders, contact Jennifer on Jennifer.kaney@contact-the-elderly.org.uk or 01786 235034.