Could You Spare A Couple Of Hours To Put A Smile On Someone’s Face?
Sometimes, it’s the simplest things that make the biggest difference.
Supporting Older People (SOP) is looking for a few more volunteer drivers to help older people get to its monthly Tea and Talk at the Crown Hotel in Harrogate.
Tea and Talk is one of SOP’s most popular events, with around 45–50 older people coming along each month for tea, cake, conversation and, most importantly, company. But for some, getting there is the tricky bit. They may be unsteady on their feet, unable to afford a taxi, or simply live too far from a bus stop.
That’s where our volunteer drivers come in.
The job is simple: pick up one or more older people from their homes at around 1.15–1.30pm, bring them to the Crown Hotel for the 2pm start, and take them home again at 3.30pm.
And there’s no commitment to do it every month. SOP emails its pool of drivers about a week before each event to see who is available. If you can help, brilliant. If you can’t, just say no – we really won’t be offended!
For the older people who rely on the service, though, that little journey can mean a lot. It gets them out of the house, gives them an afternoon to look forward to and, quite often, puts them in a room with people who have become good friends.
SOP Director Kate Rogata made the appeal at this week’s Harrogate Chamber of Commerce meeting and is hoping some local businesses might have staff, retired colleagues, family members or customers who would enjoy getting involved.
And there’s another way to help too. SOP is looking for a new Trustee, particularly someone with an HR or legal background, although anyone from a local business who would like to lend their experience to a small Harrogate charity would be very welcome. Trustees meet four times a year and play an important role in helping to shape the charity’s future, as well as acting as ambassadors and supporting fundraising.
So, if you have a couple of hours and/or a car, you could make a surprisingly big difference to someone’s day.
To find out more about volunteering or becoming a Trustee, contact Kate Rogata at kate@supportingolderpeople.org.uk or 01423 531490.
