Volunteer Host

Who Are We?

Reengage works for the promotion of social inclusion of older people in the UK, by facilitating social connections with their friends and peers, in person, over the telephone, and online, and by raising awareness of the impact of loneliness.

The Role

Our tea parties are monthly social gatherings for older people, aged 75 and over, who are experiencing social isolation or loneliness, and are in need of companionship. They’re a chance to enjoy conversation, laughter, tea and cake with a small group of older guests and friendly volunteers. Most of our tea parties take place on a Sunday afternoon in a volunteer hosts home, or an external venue, for example a village hall. Tea parties usually last around two hours.

As a tea party host, you’ll host a tea party in your home once or twice a year providing refreshments for the older guests, volunteer drivers and the tea party group coordinator.

Tea parties provide a lifeline of friendship for socially isolated or lonely older people. The warm, regular, and friendly companionship provides a vital link with the outside world from which they’ve become isolated. The role includes:

• Welcoming older people and volunteers into your home and making them feel comfortable.
• Safely preparing and serving refreshments for the tea party group.
• Ensuring that your home is safe and accessible for the tea party group

This is a fun, flexible and rewarding role which will enable you to connect with, and make a real and lasting difference to, the lives of older people who are experiencing social isolation or loneliness.

As a valued Re-engage volunteer you’ll receive training, support and regular updates and communication from the Re-engage team.

You'll need:

• A downstairs toilet
• Adequate parking outside your home
• No more than two stairs leading into your home
• A selection of seating, such as lounge and hardback chairs

You'll gain:

• The opportunity to share, learn and develop a sense of community and belonging with local older people.
• The chance to improve your active listening skills.
• A deeper understanding of the challenges faced by older people and the impact of loneliness.
• Regular training updates and opportunities to help us improve our services.

We’ll provide:

• Comprehensive training relating to the skills you’ll need to succeed as a Tea Party Host.
• Core training relating to safeguarding, EDI and GDPR.
• Regular updates via our volunteer newsletter, Re-engage Matters, with case studies, tips and updates relating to your role.
• One to one support throughout your volunteering journey, should you have any questions or need advice relating to your role or the Tea Party group.
• Access to our safeguarding team, who are here to support you should you have any concerns.

What skills do I need?

• Good entertaining skills
• A friendly nature
• Good listening skills
• Good conversation skills
• Basic understanding of food hygiene
• Patience and understanding
• A passion for improving the lives of lonely and isolated older people
• Basic computer skills (our inductions, checks and training are all online and our charity is paperless)