ISOLATED, lonely and vulnerable elderly people in Droitwich are being invited to join monthly tea parties, and enjoy a few hours of tea, chat and good company.

Contact the Elderly is launching a new group, welcoming new guests who live alone without the support of family and friends, on Friday, July 23.

With the support of thousands of volunteers all across the UK, the national charity organises free monthly tea parties for small groups of older people, aged 75 and above on a Sunday afternoon.

Contact the Elderly’s development officer Pamela Walker, said: "For older people who live alone, Sundays can be particularly long and difficult. These tea parties give people a chance to get together with others, make new friends, eat delicious cakes and enjoy a cup of tea. The monthly events make a real difference to the lives of those in the group and we would encourage anyone interested in coming along, or those who know of people to whom it might appeal, to get in touch."

Each guest is collected from their home by a volunteer driver and taken to a volunteer host’s home, where they meet with a small group for tea, chat and friendship.

The group is welcomed by a different host each month, but the drivers remain the same.

Interested residents can contact Pamela Walker by calling 0121 603 1331, email pamela.walker@contact-the-elderly.org.uk or contact the charity's national office on 0800 716543.