I’ve been driving for Contact the Elderly for almost four years and have been to almost 40 tea parties. Whilst this is hardly any compared to most drivers, I feel really close to my group and our wonderful hosts and hostesses. As our group gets on so well together, I tend to forget the age differences and I don’t really think of the difference we make to our elderly guests.
However, two months ago I started to pick up a new member, Derek, an elderly gentleman in his early nineties, whose family live a five hour drive away. Derek is a true gentleman and he seems to be fitting into our little group very well. His first two outings have been to very different hosts, his first to a beautiful house in the country, and his second to a lively house in the town, hosted by a young couple with two small girls, aged 2 and 5.
When dropping Derek home in the evening, I asked him how he found the group, and explained how our hosts are so very different. I was really touched when he said “I hadn’t expected to feel so welcome, as a true member of their family”.
I’ve been to so many tea parties that I know what to expect, but it’s only when I was shown the tea parties through fresh eyes that I saw how appreciated the tea parties are and what an amazing job our hosts do.
From a driver, thank you.
For more information about Contact the Elderly please visit http://www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk/
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Starting off as a driver in February 2008, less than a year later I found myself being elevated to area organiser for Portsmouth. I can honestly say that I get so much enjoyment from it. At the parties there is so much fun and laughter. I have got to know the guests very well and some have become good friends.
ReplyDeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteI am very glad to hear you like it.
If you want to share some stories from your group then please send them to me; marie.holdt@contact-the-elderly.org.uk
Best wishes,
Marie