Volunteering at a Reengage Tea Party

As we get older, our social circles diminish, and we find ourselves with fewer and fewer people to turn to. Imagine realising one day that all your friends and family have gone from your life. Loneliness can be cruel, and it affects millions of people over 75 who live in social isolation.

Re-engage is making life less lonely for thousands of older people every year. Older people tell us that our volunteer-led activities make them happier and more able to trust others.

Re-engage provides vital, life-enhancing social connections for older people at a time in their lives when their social circles are diminishing.

You can volunteer at one of our Tea Parties in the Reigate and Banstead Area. 

Become a tea party host

Our tea party hosts are a vital part of the Re-engage team.

Tea parties provide a lifeline of friendship for our older people, and the regular, warm, friendly chats and companionship provide a vital link with the outside world from which they have become isolated. Re-engage needs enthusiastic volunteers to work as tea party hosts.

This is a flexible, voluntary role that can easily be fitted in around your own lifestyle and availability. As a volunteer host you will run a local Re-engage tea party one to two times a year. You will host a group of four to 12 people (which includes drivers, the group coordinator as well as older guests) in either your home or a community venue. The tea parties will last around two hours and will usually take place on a Sunday afternoon. You must be comfortable socialising with people and providing guests and other volunteers with refreshments.

Become a tea party driver

Our tea party drivers are a vital part of the Re-engage team.

As a tea party driver, you liaise with your group coordinator and take older guests to and from the tea parties each month. Staying at the tea party is part of your role, so it’s much more than being a driver.

You will need to have a full, clean, driving license, and either a DBS (in England and Wales) or PVG (in Scotland). You will also need to check that you are covered by your regular motor insurance policy to do this role.

What skills do I need?

Host

Welcoming a group of older guests and volunteer drivers into your home or to the community venue.

Providing and serving refreshments for your group – usually food and drinks for afternoon tea.

Liaising with your group coordinator to ensure dietary requirements and the older guests' needs are met prior to the tea party.

Informing the group coordinator of any safeguarding concerns or issues you might have.

Following all guidance in your host training modules to ensure that the tea parties are enjoyable, appropriate, and in line with our charitable aims.

Driver

Driving one to two older guests using your own car to a tea party venue and returning them home again after the event .

Staying at the tea party to help with conversation and serve refreshments.

Liaising with the group coordinator to confirm which older guests you will pick up.

Informing the group coordinator of any safeguarding concerns or issues you might have.