Charity Re-Engage formerly known as Contact the Elderly seeks volunteers

A Newbury charity that aids elderly people experiencing loneliness is seeking more volunteers.

Re-Engage – formerly known as Contact the Elderly – is seeking hosts for monthly group meets.

Re-Engage gives people over the age of 75 a chance to interact with other older people in the same position.

They meet for a few hours in someone’s home and a host will provide tea and a space for a natter and a game of bingo.

The host usually provides something to eat afterwards.

There are two groups in Newbury – the first meets the first Sunday of every month and a second group meets the third Sunday of every month.

There is a raffle at the end with gifts provided by the drivers.

There are around four drivers who pick the guests up and drops them off.

And there are currently between eight – 12 older guests.

Co-ordinator of the first group Sarah Jones, who has been volunteering with the charity for more than 20 years, said: “The game of bingo can get very competitive over some Werthers Originals.

“The host provides something to eat.

“Usually sandwiches, crisps, sausage rolls, it doesn't have to be all homemade.

“Mr Kipling is a good friend to a lot of our hosts.”

She added: “I started [volunteering] back in 2002.

“I had a couple of years out after the birth of my second child.

“I started volunteering as a way of saying thank you as my gramps was taken for trips out himself.

“I saw the difference it made in him and I wanted to do the same for someone else.”

She added: “I enjoy the afternoons just as much as the guests.

“When my children were young, they used to come along and help and the guests loved having little ones around.”

Requirements for a host are a downstairs toilet, a large enough room (sitting room, dining room or conservatory) to accommodate the group and minimal or no high steps to climb to access their home.

Hosts offer their home to the group once or twice a year.

Anyone interested in becoming a host can contact Jill Wilson on 01635 48698 or email at crystal.wilson@zen.co.uk

She can offer more information and answer questions about requirements.