News
Contact the Elderly and Jonathan Ross on BBC1 Lifeline
Volunteer triumphs in London Marathon
Two new groups launched in Wales
Today was Fun launch Friendship Tea supporting Contact the Elderly
Contact the Elderly featured on BBC Breakfast News
Report from the AGM 16th February
4 new groups launched - a 3rd group in Aylesbury, 2 further groups in Inverness and a group in Dalkeith
01/12/07: Four new groups launched
Welcome to the 4 new additions to the Contact the Elderly family in Inverness, Aylesbury and Dalkeith.
Welcome to all our new volunteers and older members.
Our best wishes for the future.
One of our guests at the launch party in Dalkeith said, "I so rarely go out these days. My husband died 3 years ago and my family live so far away and I miss them all. I dread Sundays, as I just don't see anyone. Contact the Elderly has been a lifeline to me.".
Elaine, the new group coordinator, who hosted the first tea appeals for more volunteers. "It's really fun and rewarding for the volunteers! You can help us to make a big difference to some lonely lives."
Contact Joan Grant on 01575 573370, our East of Scotland Development Officer, if you can help.
17/01/08: Contact the Elderly's AGM 16th February
We held our Annual General Meeting at St Brides Institute on Wednesday 16th January 2008.
Trevor Lyttleton,MBE was re-elected as Chairman along with Tony Callender as Secretary and Christian Grobel as Treasurer.
The formal business of the meeting was followed by an inspiring speech from our President, Lady Jasmine Cavendish and the annual awards ceremony. Copies of speeches are available on our Resources page.
The Marsh Award for volunteering in support of older people was presented by Millie Kenyon on behalf of the Marsh Christian Trust jointly to 2 groups; to the volunteers of the St Albans 1 group and their coordinator, Doreen Egarr and to the volunteers of the Dunstable Group.
The Janet Atfield Award for the recruitment of volunteers was won this year by Ann Godfrey of the Wootton Bassett and Swindon Groups.
A special award was given to Jean Chippindale to recognise not only her work as coordinator of Westminster 43 group but her much valued work in assisting with our finances.
Long Service Awards were issued to many of our committed volunteers, represented on the night by Thelma Hopkins.
We announced a new award at this year’s Annual General Meeting, to recognise the support given to the charity by three top companies during 2007. The inaugural ‘Company of the Year’ award winners are accountancy firm Ernst & Young, printing company Bovince and the Monkbar Hotel in York. Representatives from each company were presented with their award by the President.04/02/08: Today was Fun Friendship Tea
Over 70 Contact the Elderly groups, including Brighton, Chester, Coventry, St Albans and Wootton Bassett gathered on 3rd February to celebrate the launch of our partnership with Today was Fun, an award winning ethical organic tea company. At the same time Today was Fun hosted a fantastic afternoon tea for a couple of our groups in South London at their offices. As well as bunting, wonderful sandwiches and cakes, and a masseur who gave relaxing hand massages during the afternoon, there was plenty of tea and much friendship!!!!
We all had a wonderful time. Thank you to all the Today was Fun team for giving volunteers and older members alike such an enjoyable time.
Today was Fun have committed to giving 5 pence from every pack sold of their aptly named ‘Friendship Tea’ to Contact the Elderly, and we are also working together to raise our profile to attract more elderly members and volunteers.
Friendship Tea is available from John Lewis stores as well as hundreds of tea shops, garden centres and eateries, and is an ideal gift for friends.
To find out more about our welcome new partner, visit www.todaywasfun.com
14/02/08: Tea and Superjam
We were delighted to welcome Fraser, the founder of Superjam, to the launch of our Friendship Tea partnership with Today was Fun. Fraser very kindly donated jam to everyone who came along and he's also written a very nice piece about us in his blog. You can read it here: www.superjam.co.uk/blog.html
14/02/08: Two new groups launched in Wales
We welcome into the Contact the Elderly family 2 new groups in Wales, Newtown in Powys and Llanfairfechan/Penmanmawr in North Wales.
The Newtown group is our 2nd group in Powys and the first group started by Liz Morgan, our new Mid Wales Development Officer.
Congratulations to Liz and also to Brian Jones our North Wales Development Officer for starting a group with perhaps the longest name!
Thank you and welcome to all our new volunteers.
21/01/08: BBC Breakfast News
A survey has found that people are afraid of growing old with little or no contact with their family or friends.
Vera, a member of one of Contact the Elderly’s group was featured in a film shown on BBC Breakfast News highlighting this issue. Sarah Reed, one of Contact the Elderly’s trustees was interviewed and discussed the issue whilst letting the viewers know just how Contact the Elderly is able to help.
The programme caused quite an increase in traffic on our new website and a substantial number of enquiries about volunteering for the charity.
To see the film click here: BBC Website and select the BBC Audio & Video link, Elderly 'scared of being alone'.
20/04/08 Volunteer triumphs in London Marathon
After years of following the London Marathon from the comfort of a chair, Emma Mason, Coordinator of Greenwich 14, finally decided to run it herself.
Months of training and fundraising paid off as she finished triumphantly in five hours and 55 minutes and raised an amazing £4000 for Contact the Elderly. She was helped along by her friends who were cheering on the sideline along the route.
Her efforts were also recognised by her employer, BAA, who awarded her with £500 towards her fundraising target.
Thank you Emma for your hard work!
You can add to her donation total by visiting JustGiving.
20/04/08: Contact the Elderly and Jonathan Ross on BBC1 Lifeline
This month’s BBC1 Lifeline Appeal features Contact the Elderly fronted by Jonathan
Ross. Jonathan and his daughter Betty picks up 88 year old Constance and joins
her at the monthly get-together where he charms his way into the older members’
hearts.
The BBC1 Lifeline Appeal was shown on Sunday 20th April
and
will be shown again on Wednesday 23rd April at 2.00pm.
Donate
here or telephone 0800 093 93 94
