Tea party driver

  • VO94317


Description

Our tea party drivers 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. Drivers take older people to the parties and stay with them to enjoy the get-together. Over time, drivers and older guests get to know each other well and together you will spend many hours full of fun, laughter, and stories.

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.
Tasks include:
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.

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

Organisation aims and objectives

Contact the Elderly is the only UK charity solely dedicated to tackling loneliness and social isolation among older people. We do this by organising monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties for small groups of older people (aged 75+) who live alone, and volunteers within their local community, offering a regular and vital friendship link every month. Each older person is collected from their home by a volunteer driver and taken to a volunteer host’s home for afternoon tea. The group is warmly welcomed by a different host each month, but the drivers remain the same which means that over the months and years, acquaintances turn into friends and loneliness is replaced by companionship. Our tea parties are a real lifeline of friendship for our older guests who have little or no contact with family or friends. They bring people of all ages together, develop fulfilling friendships and support networks, and give everyone involved something to look forward to each month.

Frequency and commitment details

Around 2 hours one Sunday a month

Restrictions

Travel details: You will need to have a full, clean, driving license. You will also need to check that you are covered by your regular motor insurance policy to do this role.
Minimum age: 18