A NEW initiative is being launched to provide companionship and friendship for over 75s in Bury who live alone.

Contact the Elderly is inviting residents to join their new monthly social gatherings where they can enjoy tea, cake and good company.

The national charity, which aims to tackle loneliness and isolation among older people, will oversee the launch of the new groups. Various individuals will host each month's gathering, with the over 75s who attend being assigned a designated volunteer driver.

Sue and Lynn Whitehead have been running two groups in Bury and Bircle for the past six years.

They said: “Above all, and this is true for all the guests, they enjoy the company. They also enjoy visiting different families, they really love it if the children get involved; they love talking to them.

"They enjoy a good chat, meeting up with the other guests and several of them have become quite good friends with volunteer drivers."

They added: “As co-ordinators, we've really loved every minute and feel we have gained far more than the older guests."

Last year, Contact the Elderly supported 6,223 older guests via its 813 groups across the UK.

About 95 per cent of older guests say that they now have something to look forward to thanks to the monthly meet-ups.

Gwen Lightfoot, Contact the Elderly’s Support Officer, said: "We know that there are many older people living alone in the Bury area for whom 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.

“If you are over 75, live alone and would like to enjoy some tea, cake and company, please get in touch as we’d love to hear from you.”

Contact the charity by calling 0800 716 543 or emailing gwen.lightfoot@contact-the-elderly.org.uk.