Volunteer Tea Party Host (SH)

Become a tea party host

As a tea party host, you’ll host a tea party in your home once or twice a year providing refreshments for the older guests, volunteer drivers and the tea party group coordinator.

Each tea party group usually last for around two hours and normally take place on a Sunday afternoon.

Tea parties provide a lifeline of friendship for socially isolated or lonely older people. The warm, regular, and friendly companionship provides a vital link with the outside world from which they’ve become isolated.

To become a tea party host you’ll need to:

• Attend a 30-minute online volunteer group induction
• Complete an ID check
• Provide a reference
• Complete online volunteer training modules

Tasks include:

• Welcoming older people and volunteers into your home and making them feel comfortable.
• Safely preparing and serving refreshments for the tea party group.
• Ensuring that your home is safe and accessible for the tea party group.
• Following the guidance in the online volunteer training so that the tea parties are safe, enjoyable, appropriate and in line with our charitable aims.
• Keeping in regular contact with the tea party group coordinator so they know when you’re available to host, and so you know how many people to expect and if there are any dietary requirements.
• Reporting any concerns to the tea party group coordinator.
• Keeping your knowledge and training up to date by reading our monthly volunteer newsletter – Re-engage Matters.

What skills do I need?

Requirements: The only essentials are a big teapot, a downstairs toilet and easy access to your house e.g. not too many steps to your front door).

Your commitment: We ask hosts to commit to one or two tea parties a year - more if they want. The volunteer coordinator will call to check dates and other arrangements and nearer the time will confirm how many guests to expect.

Tea can be as simple or elaborate as you want. Usually hosts offer a selection of sandwiches and cakes accompanied by tea or coffee. The older guests and their drivers arrive at about 3pm and will be ready to leave by 5 - 5:15pm.