Contact in Sweden

Last year we ended with a big tea party with both of our groups together. We held it on dec 13th - the Lucia-day – which was very much appreciated by the guests. Some of them celebrate the whole Christmas season all by themselves otherwise. The drive went out to Saltsjö-Duvnäs in Nacka (20 min outside the city) to the hosts Louise & Lilly Gyll (mother and daughter) who invited us to their pretty house by the water. The guests were first seated in the living room by the open fire and were served the traditional Lucia glögg, gingerbread cookies and lussekatter. After some chats between volunteers and guests in the two groups we all were seated in the big dining room and were served coffee, tea, sandwiches and more sweets. All the guests left with a big smile on their faces that day.

The first tea parties this year where spent in Gustavsberg (Nacka) with group 2 on 24 jan - at hostess Stephanie Vukmanic and her sweet little cat. It’s the flu season so it was only a small group with three guests and two drivers this time. The group welcomed a new guest who were very happy to join.

Group 1 had their first tea party in 31 jan in the city, on Södermalm – Jeanette Predin and Tom Bertling welcomed us to their very modern but also homey apartment (Tom is an interior designer). The group were served tinned sprat sandwiches and some very delicious homemade cakes. The chocolate cake with cream were the favorite. It was a snowy day so the open fire was a welcomed feature also this time.
Jeanette has a blog on RIX FM (a big music radio station in Sweden) and wrote about the day and put out some pictures: http://www.rixfm.com/bloggar/backstage/2010/02/01/musik-och-fika-helg

Contact in Sweden

AldreKontakt, an organisation which has taken the simple concept of Contact the Elderly to Sweden, has now launched its second group in Stockholm.

Therese Karlsson was asked to research services for lonely older people and came across Contact the Elderly in June 2008. In October last year they launched the first group and is going from strenght to strenght.

About the second group launch Therese says: "Christine Johansson is doing a splendid job as group leader, coordinating the group and together with the drivers they make it possible for 6 older ladies to meet once a month from here on.
The guests are very happy to have gotten this chance to come out and make new friends, and are greatful to all the hosts for inviting them to their homes.

For the first outing the group went to Djursholm, a residential district 15 min outside the city, and was welcomed by Sophia Nybell and her family.

It was a typically rainy November day and everyone was glad to come inside and sit near the open fire in the living room.

Delicious sandwiches were served, many cups of coffee and tea were poured and the cat Felicia enjoyed all the attention. The two hours went by fast with chat and laughter and they all look forward to seeing each other soon again."

www.aldrekontakt.se